Professional Documents
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Stories Prophets
Stories Prophets
OF
THE PROPHETS
UK I'SLAMIC ACADEMY
Dedication
Ali al-Hasani
Contents
page
Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Workbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 169
3
Isla.mic and Biblical Names
Adam Adam
Ayyub Job
Benyarnln Benjamin
Da'ud David
Hajar Hagar
Harun Aaron
HOd
Ibrahim Abraham
'Isa Jesus
lshaq Isaac
Isma'il Ishmael
al-Khadir
Lut Lot
Maryam Mary
Musa Moses
Nul) Noah
$aliD
Sarah Sarah
Shu'ayb
Sulayrnan Soloman
YaDya John
Ya'qub Jacob
Yunus Jonah
Yusha' Iosuah
Yusuf Joseph
Zakariyya Zachariah
Foreword
5
receive all the guidance, knowledge and inspiration that
Stories of the Prophets offers, a workbook is included.
My thanks are due to Sis. Aisha Bewley, Sis.
Maryam Davies, Bro. Jamil Qureshi, my daughters Su'ad,
Shifa' and my other children for their help in producing
this book. May Allah accept this effort a.nd make it a source
of inspiration and guidance for all.
Leicester (England) Iqbal Ahmad Azami
Shawwal1410 A.H
May 1990
Introduction
7
Indeed, I have been closely associated with a series of
books drawn from the Holy Qur'an. Nonetheless, I testify
without reservation, that Abul Hasan's present book surpas
ses all such works. What accounts for its excellence is the
inclusion, with elucidation, of subtle teachings of the
Qur'an, of explanations that highlight and reinforce the
Qur'anic message, through the author's apt comments
interwoven into the telling of the story. These comments
provide glimpses of the greatest religious truths and they
easily and effectively enter into the hearts of children and
adults alike.
May Allah bestow His choicest rewards on Sayyed
Abul Hasan and grant him the strength to carry out more
such works. May Allah guide through his writings the future
generations of Muslims that are under the constant attack
of storms of disbelief, whose paths are strewn with thorns,
whom black darkness surrounds, and who so urgently
need guidance, light, care and sincere counselling for their
growth. Allah alone grants the strength to accomplish every
good deed.
Sayyed Qutb
Satan's envy
Satan had not bowed down to Adam when Allah
had commanded him to do so. So he was driven out and
damned for ever. But how could Satan and his descendants
be content with this? Were not people still worshipping
*M uslims are required to invoke Allah 's blessings and peace upon the
Prophets whenever their name is mentioned .
9
Allah? Were not people still a single community with no
differences? That could not be! Would Adam's descendants
go to the Garden while Iblis and his descendants went to
the Fire? That could not be! Should not he take revenge on
the sons of Adam sothat they would go to the Fire with him?
Satan's idea
But how could Satan do that when people were
worshipping Allah? He decided to call them to worship
idols so that they would go to the Fire and never get to
the Ga.rden. He knew that Allah forgives people all sins, if
He so wills, except one. Allah never forgives people
worshipping other things besides Him or as well as Him.
So Satan decided to call the people to associate
other things with Allah so that they would never go to the
Garden. But how could he persuade them?
If he went to the people and said to them, 'Worship
idols. Do not worship Allah,' they would curse him and
chase him off. They would say: 'Allah forbid! How can
we associate other things with our Lord? How can we
worship idols? You are a cursed satan! You are a foul satan!'
So Satan had to look for another way, a cleverer
way, to get the people to .do as he wanted.
Satan's trick
There had been men who feared Allah and worship
ped Him night and day and who remembered Him often.
They had loved Allah, so Allah had loved them and
answered their prayers. People loved them and spoke of
them with respect long after they had died and gone to
Allah's mercy.
10
Satan was well aware of this. So he went to the
people and mentioned those men. He said, 'What do you
think of So-and-so and So-and-so and So-and-so?'
They said, 'Glory be to Allah! They were men of
Allah and His friends. When those men prayed, He
answered them. When they asked, He gave to them.'
11
to having them around and looked for blessings in them .
Now whenever one of their holy men died, they would
make a statue of him and name it after him.
Allah's anger
Allah became very angry with the people . He
cursed them. How could Allah not be angry with the
people because of what they were doing? Was this what
they were created for? Was this what they were given
provision for?
They walked on Allah's earth, but rejected Allah!
They ate Allah's provision , but associated others with Allah!
How terrible a sin!
Allah was so angry with the people that He held
back the rain and made things hard for them. Their harvests
12
were small and few children were born to them.
But the people did not learn their lesson from that,
they did not understand. They did not turn to Allah in
repentance. They needed good counsel.
The messenger
Allah does not speak to each person individually
or tell each one to do this or do that. The angels are a
race just like mankind. It is possible to see them and hear
what they say, if Allah wills. But the angels do not speak
to each person individually either, or tell each one to do
this or do that. Only Allah can choose the person who
will receive His message to give to the people. Allah wanted
to send a messenger to the people who could speak to
them and counsel them. Allah chose to send the children
of Adam a man from among themselves to speak to them
and give them good counsel.
Man or angel?
Allah wanted this messenger to be a man and to
be one of the people. That way they would recognize him
and understand what he said.
If the messenger had been an angel, the people
might say, 'What has he got to do with us? He is an angel
and we are mortals! We eat and drink and we have wives
and children. How can we worship Allah?' But if the
messenger were a man, he could answer, 'I eat and drink;
I have a wife and children. But I worship Allah. Why don't
you worship Allah?'
If the messenger had been an angel, the people
might say to him, 'You do not get hungry or thirsty. You
13
do not get ill or die. So you can worship Allah and
remember Him always!' But if the messenger were a man,
he could answer, 'I am just like you. I get hungry and
thirsty. I get ill and will die. But I worship Allah and
remember Him. So why don't you worship Allah? Why
don't you remember Him?' In this way the people would
not be able to make up excuses.
14
The rich and proud said, 'Couldn't Alla.h find
anyone except him? Has everyone else died? Couldn't He
find anyone except a poor man from among the common
people?'
The ignorant ones said to each other: 'This is only
a man like yourselves. If Allah had willed! He would have
sent down angels. We have never heard ofthis among our
fathers! the encients.' (23: 24)
Some of the people said that Nuh only wanted to
become a leader, a man of power and position among
them, by saying he was the messenger of Allah.
15
to you the messages of my Lord and I give you good
advice! for I know from Allah what you do not know. !
(7: 59-62)
16
the fashion and people follow us. We have seen that we
do not want for any good thing, and nobody out-does us
in anything in the city.'
They said about the poor people who had believed
in Nuh: 'If there had been any good in this religion, it
would have come to us before these paupers. If it had
been any good! they would not be before us in attaining
it. I (46: 11)
Nuh's call
Nuh went on calling his people and trying hard to
counsel them.
He seid, '0 my people! I am a clear warner to you,
saying "Worship Allah and fear Him and obey me that He
may forgive you your sins and defer you to a specified
term. When Alleh's term comes! it cannot be deferred! if
you only knew. I I I (71 : 2-4)
Allah kept the rain from them and was angry with
them. Their harvests were small and they had few children.
Nuh told them: 'My people! If you believe, Allah will be
pleased with you and remove this punishment.'
Then, when Allah sent the rain to them and blessed
their crops and children, Nuh called his people and said
to them: 'Don't you recognize Allah? These are the signs
of Allah all around you. Can't you see them? Can't you
see the heavens and the earth? Can't you see the sun and
the moon? Who created the heavens? Who placed the
moon in them as a light and made the sun a lamp? He
created you and laid the earth as a carpet for you.'
But the people of Nuh would not understand and
would not believe. When Nuh called them to Allah, they
put their fingers in their ears. Now, how can anyone who
17
does not hear a message understand it? How can anyone
who does not want to hear, hear?
Nuh's prayer
Nuh stayed with his people for nine hundred and
fifty years, calling them to Allah, but his people would not
believe. They would not stop worshipping idols. They
refused to return to Allah.
How long could Nuh wait? How long could he
watch the earth and its people being ruined? How long
could he put up with his people worshipping stones? How
long could he watch them eat from Allah's provisions while
they worshipped something else?
Why did Nuh not get angry? He was more patient
than anyone else could have been! Nine hundred and fifty
years: Glory be to Allah!
Then Allah revealed to Nuh, 'None of your people
willbelieve except those who have already believed. ' (11 :
36)
When Nuh called his people again, they said, 'Nuhl
You have disputed with us and you have disputed often
with us, so bring us what you promised us if you are
speaking the truth. ' (11 : 32)
Nuh became angry for Allah and despaired of those
people. He said, '0 Allah, do not leave even one of the
unbelievers on the earth!'
The ark
Allah answered Nuh's prayer and He decided what
the fate of the unbelievers would be. All of them would
be drowned in a great flood.
18
Allah wanted to save Nuh and the believers. He
commanded Nuh to build a great ship, and Nuh began
straightaway.
The unbelievers from his people saw him working
busily and they mocked: 'What is this, Nuh? Since when
have you become a carpenter? Didn't we tell you not to
sit with the carpenters and ironsmiths and now you have
really become a carpenter!
'Where is this ship going, Nuh? Everything about
you is unbelievable! Is it going to sail in the sand or climb
up the mountains? The sea is a long way from here. Will
the jinn carry it or will oxen pull it?'
Nuh heard all that and was patient. He had heard
worse things and had been patient. But sometimes he
would say to them, 'H you mock us, we willmock you as
you mock. (11: 38)
I
The flood
The promise of Allah came. We seek refuge with
Allah! -
It rained and rained until the sky was like a sieve
which could not hold the water. Water poured down and
gushed up and flowed in until it surrounded the people
on every side.
Then Allah revealed to Nuh, 'Take with you those
of your people and family who believe.'
Allah revealed to Nuh to take with him a pair of
every animal and bird, a male and a female, because the
flood would cover the earth. Neither man nor beast would
be saved from it. Nuh did so. With him in the Ark were
those of his people who believed in him and a pair of
every bird and animal.
19
The Ark rode with them on waves like mountains.
The people outside the Ark climbed onto every high place
and every hill, fleeing from Allah's punishment.
But there is no refuge from Allah except in I-lim.
Nuh's son
Nuh had a son who was with the unbelievers. Nuh
saw his son in the flood and said, 'My son, embark with
us and do not be with the unbelievers. I
20
Prophet's family, even if he is his son. Allah made Nuh
aware of that. He said, 'Nub, he is not part of your family;
he is of evil conduct. Do not ask of Me that about which
you do not know. I warn you lest you be one of the
ignorant. (11 : 46)
I
21
2. The Prophet Hud
After Nuh
Alla.h blessed the descendants of Nuh and they
spread over. the earth. One community from them was
called 'Ad.
They were strong men with bodies like iron. They
conquered everyone, and no-one was able to conquer
them. They did not fear anyone but were feared by
everyone.
Allah blessed the 'Ad in everything. Their camels and
sheep filled the hills and valleys. Their horses filled the streets
and footpaths of their cities. Their children filled the houses.
When the sheep and camels of the 'Ad went out
to pasture, they made a very beautiful sight. When the
children went out in the morning to play, they also made
a very beautiful sight.
The land of the 'Ad was a fertile green land full of
gardens and springs.
22
They began to worship idols as the community of
Nuh had done. They carved them out of stone with their
own hands and then prostrated themselves before them
a.nd worshipped them. They asked them for what they
needed, prayed to them and sacrificed to them. They were
following in the footsteps of Nuh's community.
Their intelligence did not keep them from worship
ping idols. Their cleverness in the things of this world did
not guide them in religion.
23
The castles of the I Ad
The 'Ad did nothing but eat and drink, play and
amuse themselves. They competed with each other in
building high castles and spacious houses. They wasted their
wealth on water, clay and stones. Whenever they saw an
empty place or some high ground, they built a tall castle on it.
They built housesasif they were going to live forever
and never die. They built castles without any need for them
while some of the people could not find anything to eat
or drink. The poor among them could not find anywhere
to live while the houses of the rich were empty. Any
one who saw them and saw their castles would know
straightaway that they did not believe in the Next World.
Hud's call
Hud stood up a.mong his people and said, 'Oh my
24
people, worship Allah. You have no god except Him. I
(11 : 50)
He said, '0 people, how can you worship stones
and not worship the One who created you!
'0 people, how can you worship stones today
which you had carved for yourselves only yesterday? Allah
created you and provided for you. He blessed you _in your
property, chilclren, crops and cattle. He made you rulers
a.fter the people of Nuh and gave you physical strength.
'Part of what you owe for these blessings is to
worship Alla.h and not to worship anything but Him.
'The dog to which you throw a bone does not leave
you a.nd will follow you like a shadow. Have you ever
seen a dog freely leave his master and go to someone else?
Have you ever seen any animal prostrate before an idol?
Is man lower than an animal or higher than an animal?'
25
Hud's wisdom
Hud worked hard to counsel his people. He called
them with wisdom and kind-heartedness: '0 my people,
I was your brother and friend yesterday. Don't you know
me? My brothers! Why do you fear me and flee from me?
I will not make you any poorer at all.
'0 my people, I do not ask you for any wealth. My
wage falls only on Allah. (11: 29)
'0 my people, what do you have to fear if you
believe in Allah? Allah will not lessen your riches at all if
you believe in Him. Alla.h will bless you in your provision
and increase it.
'My people, why are you surprised at my message?
Allah does not speak to each person individually, telling
each one to do this and to do that. Alla.h sends to every
people a man from a.mong them to speak to them and
advise them. Do you wonder that a reminder from your
Lord should come to you by means ofa man from among
you that he may warn you? (7: 69)
Hud's belief
The 'Ad could not think of an answer. So they said,
'Our gods are angry with you. You have been afflicted by
a mental disease. A curse from the gods has struck you.'
Hud said, 'These idols are only stones. They cannot
help or hurt anyone; they neither speak nor hear nor see.
They do not possess good or evil, they have no power to
bring harm or benefit for anyone.
'You yourselves do not possess any benefit or harm
for me. I do not believe in your gods and I do not fear
them. I am quit of what you associate. (11: 54) And I do
not fear you either. Try your guile on mel all together.
26
Truly/ I have put my trust in Allah/ my Lord and your Lord.
(11: 56)
'Everything is under His control. Not even a single
leaf falls from a tree without His permission.'
The punishment
The 'Ad looked into the sky for the rain they needed.
They looked every day. They looked at the sky and did
not see a wisp of cloud. They yearned for rain.
One day, they saw a cloud coming toward them.
They were very happy and shouted, 'This is a rain cloud!
This is a rain cloud!' People danced for joy. They called
out to each other: 'A rain cloud! A rain cloud!'
27
But Hud understood that the punishment had
come. He told them, 'This is not a cloud of mercy. It is a
wind conta.ining a painful punishment.'
So it was. A fierce wind blew whose like the people
had never seen before. The tempest blew and uprooted
trees and destroyed houses. It carried up animals and flung
them far away. The desert sands were blown into the air
and blacked out everything. No-one could see anything.
Terror filled the people and they ran into. their
houses and bolted the doors. The chilclren clung to their
mothers. People clung to the walls. The children were
weeping and the women shouting. They were praying and
begging for help.
It was as if someone was saying, 'There is no
protector today from Allen's command. (11 : 43)
I
28
29
Tha.mud to be grateful and worship the glory and greatness
of Allah. It led them to reject Alla.h and to be unjust. They
forgot Allah while they rejoiced in what they had been
given. They would say: 'Who is stronger than us?' They
lived as if they believed that death would never enter their
palaces and gardens, that they would own and enjoy them
forever.
They thought that death would find no way to reach
them in their high mountains. They thought that Nuh's
community had only been drowned because they had
been in a valley and that the 'Ad had been destroyed
because they lived on a plain. They believed that the
people ofThamud were in a place safe from fear and death.
Idol worship
But the people of Thamud went still further in their
thanklessness. From the stonesthey carved they made idols
and worshipped them, just as the community of Nuh and
of the 'Ad had done.
Allah had made them masters of stone, but in their
ignorance they became the slaves of stones. Allah had
raised them up and provided them with good things, but
they lowered themselves and dishonoured mankind. Allah
does not wrong people at ell, but people wrong themselves.
(1 0: 44)
What strange madness! The very stones they
carved, and with their own hands; stonesthat could neither
hear them nor answer them in any way! They abased
themselves before bits of senseless, lifeless rock and fell
down in prostration.
Do the strong worship the weak? Does the master
prostrate to his slave? But they forgot Allah and forgot
30
themselves. They refused to worship Allah, so Allah
brought down their pride.
Salih's call
Salih stood up among his people, saying in his
31
loudest voice, '0 my people! worship Allah. You have no
god but Him. (11: 61)
I
32
'Our opinion was wrong'
The people rejected Salih and did not believe him .
When Salih warned them and told them not to worship
idols, they said: 'Salih, you used to be such a noble and
sensible youth. We thought that you would become one
of our great men and nobles. We thought that you would
he like So-and-so and So-and-so. You have turned out to
be a nobody. Those who were the same age as you and
not as intelligent asyou have become famous and powerful.
But you, Salih, you chose the path of poverty . We were
wrong in our opinion of you. We are disappointed in our
hopes for you.
'Your poor father! He did not receive any good
from you. Your poor mother! Her efforts on you were
wasted.'
Salih heard all of this and was sad for his people.
When Salih passed by them, they would say: 'May
Allah show mercy to Salih's father. His son is wasted.'
Salih's advice
Salih kept on giving advice to his people and calling
them to Allah with wisdom and kind-heartedness. He said:
'M y brothers, do you think you will be here forever? Do
you think that you will live in these houses forever? Do
you think that you will remain in these gardens and by
these rivers? That you will always eat from these crops and
trees? That you will always carve houses out of these
mountains? Never! That will never be!
'Why did your fathers die, my brothers? They too
had palaces and they too had gardens and springs. They
too used to carve houses out of the mountains . But none
of that helped them. None of that protected them!
33
'The Angel of Death came to them and found a
way to reach them. So you will also die and Allah will
raiseyou up again and question you about these blessings.'
34
5alih called on his Lord. All that the people had
asked for was done. A pregnant she-camel came out of
the mountain and gave birth.
The people were confused and astonished. But on Iy
one of them believed.
The arrangement
5alih then said, 'This is the she-camel from Allah.
It is the sign of Allah. You asked and He created it for
you by His power. So respect this camel. Do not touch
her with evil lest you be seized by a near punishment.
(11 : 64)
'This camel should be allowed to eat and drink in
the land of Allah and to come and go freely. You do not
need to provide it with drink or fodder, there is plenty.'
The camel was very large indeed and very unusual
in form. The other camels were afraid of it. Whenever the
camel came and drank, the other camels shied and ran
away.
5alih saw that and said, 'This camel will come one
day and your camels the next day. One day, this camel
will drink and the next day your camels will drink.'
That is how the bounds were arranged between
5alih a.nd the people of Thamud regarding the camel.
When it was the camel's turn, it went and drank. When
it was the people's camels' turn, they went and drank. For
a time these bounds were kept.
35
They were a.ngry at this camel from which their ca.mels
shied away. Salih had warned them to be gentle with this
camel. But they did not heed the warning. They asked one
a.nother, 'Who will get rid of this camel?'
A man stood up and said, 'I will!' Another stood
up and said, 'I will!'
The two wretched men went and waited for the
camel. When the she-camel came near, the first man
brought her down with an arrow. The second man finished
her off.
The punishment
WhenSalih learned that the she-camel had been
killed, he was very sad indeed. He told the people, 'Enjoy
yourselves in your homes for three days. That is a promise
not to be denied. (11: 65)
I
36
sadness: '0 my people! I conveyed the message of my
Lord to you and I advised you sincerely. But you do not
love sincere advisers. ' (7: 79)
Today, in the place where the Thamud dwelt, there
are only empty castles and disused wells. There are only
deserted villages.
When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace, passed by the dwelling places of the
Thamud on his way to Syria, he told his Companions, 'Do
not enter the houses of those who wronged themselves
unless you enter weeping, fearing that the like of what
befell them might befall you .'
The Thamud rejected their Lord. 50 away with the
Thamud! (11 : 68)
37
The idol-seller
In a city, long, long ago, there lived a very famous
man whose name was Azar. He was famous because he
was a seller of idols.
In a huge building in' the middle of the city, the
people kept lots of idols and bowed down before them.
Azar was no different. He also would bow down before
these idols, and worship them.
Azar's son
Azar had a son called Ibrahim who was very
intelligent. Ibrahim would see the people bowing down
before the idols. He knew that the idols were made of
stone and could not speak or hear.
He knew that the idols could neither help nor harm
anything. He saw flies sit on them without being driven
away and mice eat the food left for the idols without any
trouble.
So Ibrahim would ask himself, 'Why do people
worship the idols? Why do they ask the idols for things?'
Ibrahim's advice
Ibrahim would say to his father: 'Father, why do
you worship these idols? Why do you bow down to them?
38
'Father, why do you askthese idols for things, when
they can neither speak nor hear? They can neither help
nor harm anything, so why do you put food and drink
before them? Why, when they cannot eat or drink?'
Azar became angry and did not understand what
all these questions meant.
Ibrahim tried to give his people the same advice,
but they became angry and did not understand what he
meant either.
Ibrahim said, 'I will smash the idols when the people
are away. Then they will understand me.'
39
'Who did this?'
The people came back and went into the building
where the idol s were kept. They were especially keen to
bow down before the idols because it was the day of their
big festival. They were amazed and dumbfounded, bitter
and angry at what they saw.
'Who has done this to our gods!' they cried . Then
some of them said: 'We heard a young man called Ibrahim
talking about them. ' (21: 59-60)
When Ibrahim was brought to them, they said, 'Are
you the one who did this to our gods?' (21: 62)
Ibrahim, pointing to the largest idol, answered
calmly: 'But this, their chief has done it. Question them if
they are able to speak. ' (21: 63)
The people knew that the idols were made of stone
and that stones cannot hear or speak. They knew that the
largest idol wa s made of stone and that it could not move,
so it could not have broken the other idols.
They said to Ibrahim, 'You know that idols cannot
speak.' And so he asked them : 'So how can you worship
idols when they can neither help nor harm anything? Don't
you understand anything? Don't you have any sense at all?'
The people were assilent asthe idols, and ashamed.
A cool fire
The people met and said, 'What shall we do?
Ibrahim has broken the idols and humiliated the gods.
How should we punish him? How should we pay him
back for what he has done?'
The answer was, 'Burn him and stand by your
gods. ' (21: 68)
40
That is what they did . They lit a fire and threw
Ibrahim into it.
But Allah helped Ibrahim and said to the fire, 'Fire,
be coolness and safety to Ibrahim. ' (21 : 68 )
And so it was. The fire was coolness and safety for
Ibrahim. The people saw that the fire did not hurt Ibrahim
and they saw that he was not harmed by the smoke and
the flames.
Once again, they were amazed and confused.
'Who is my Lord?'
That night Ibrahim saw a star and he said, 'This is
my Lord. ' When the star set, Ibrahim exclaimed, ' No ! This
is not my Lord!' Ibrahim saw the moon and he said, 'This
is my Lord. ' When the moon set, Ibrahim exclaimed, ' No !
This is not my Lord!' The sun rose and Ibrahim said, 'This
is my Lord. This is greater. ' (6: 78) When the sun set,
Ibrahim exclaimed, 'No! This is not my Lord! Allah is my
Lord, He is alway s living and does not die. The light of
Allah shines always and never dims and never sets. Allah
is All-Mighty, nothing can overcome Him. The light of the
stars is weak, morning overcomes it. The light of the moon
is weak , the sun overcomes it. The light of the sun is weak,
night overcomes it and clouds overcome it. Stars cannot
help me because they are weak. The moon cannot help
me because it is weak. The sun cannot help me because
it is weak. Allah alone can help me.'
41
never dims nor sets. Allah is All-Mighty, nothing can
overcome- Him.
Ibrahim knew that Allah is the Lord of the stars, and
the Lord of the moon, and the Lord of the sun, and the
Lord of all the worlds that may be.
Thus Allah guided Ibrahim a.nd made him a Prophet
and His close friend. Allah commanded Ibrahim to call his
people and tell them not to worship idols.
Ibrahim's call
Ibrahim carried out the command of his Lord. He
asked his people: 'What do-you worship?'
IWe worship idols/ / (26: 71) they said.
Ibrahim asked them: 100 they hear you when you
call? Or help or harm vou?
They said/ IWe found our fathers doing that. / (26:
72--4)
Ibrahim said: 'I do not worship these idols. Rather,
I am the enemy of these idols. I worship the Lord of all
the worlds, the One who created me and who guides mel
the One who gives me food and drink, the One who heals
me when I am ltl, and the One who makes me die and
brings me to life. (26: 78-81)
'But idols do not create and do not guide. They do
not give anyone food or drink. When someone is ill, they
do not heal him. They do not make anyone die nor bring
anyone to life.'
42
King heard that Ibrahim prostrated himself only before Allah
and would not prostrate himself before anyone else, he
became angry and sent for him. Ibrahim came straighta
way : he did not fear anyone except Allah. .
The King asked: 'Who is your Lord, Ibrahim?'
Ibrahim said: 'My Lord is Allah.'
The King asked: 'Who is Allah, Ibrahim?'
Ibrahim said: The One Who gives life and death. '
(2: 258)
The King said: 'I give life and death.' (2: 258) Then
he had a man brought before him and had him killed.
Then he had another man brought before him and let him
live. After that, very proudly, he said : 'You see! I give life
and death. I killed one man and let the other man live.'
The King was very silly. All idol-worshippers are
foolish in such matters. Ibrahim wanted to make the King
understand. He wanted to make all his people understand.
He said to the King: 'Allah brings the sun from the
east. Now you bring it from the west.'
The King was confused and silent. He was ashamed
and could think of nothing to say.
43
Ibrahim wa s very sad. He wanted to go to another
country only so that he could worship his Lord and call
people to Allah in peace.
To Makka
-
Ibrahim's people had become angry. The King had
become angry . Even Ibrahim' s father had become angry .
Ibrahim decided to travel to a different land where
he could worship Allah and call people to Allah in peace.
He said good-bye to his father and left his land.
Ibrahim made for Makka with his wife Hajar. There
were no plants or trees in Makka, no well or river, and no
animal s or people.
Ibrahim reached Makka and stayed there for a time.
After that, he left his wife Hajar and his son Isma'il. When
he wa s about to leave, his wife asked: 'W here are you
going? Are you going to leave us here? Are you going to
leave us here when there is no food nor water? Has Allah
commanded you to do this?'
Ibrahim said, 'Yes.'
Hajar said, 'Then He will not let us die.'
44
known as the well of Zamzam. Allah has blessed the water
of Zamzam. This is the well from which people drink during
the Hajj. They take the Zamzam water back to their own
countries to share with their families and friends. Have you
drunk Zamzam water?
Ibrahim's dream
Some time later Ibrahim returned to Makka and
rejoined Isma'il and Hajar. Ibrahim was very happy with
his young son Isma'il. He ran and played and went about
with his father who loved Isma'il deeply.
One night Ibrahim had a dream. He dreamt that
he sacrificed Isma'il.
Ibrahim was a truthful Prophet. His dream was a
true dream. Ibrahim was a close friend of Allah and he
decided to do what Allah had commanded him to do in
the dream. But first he asked of Isma'il: 'I have seen in a
dream that I must sacrifice you. So what do you think?
He said, 'My tether, do what you are commanded.
Allah willing, you will find me one ofthe steadfast. ' (37: 102)
Ibrahim took Isma'il with him, and a knife.
When Ibrahim reached Mina, he made ready to
sacrifice Isma'il. Isma'il lay down on the ground and
Ibrahim was about to sacrifice him. He put the knife against
Isma'il's throat. Allah wanted to see if His friend would do
what he was commanded to do. Did he love Allah more
or did he love his son more?
When Ibrahim had passed the test, Allah sent libril
with a ram from the Garden. He said: 'Sacrifice this ram.
Do not sacrifice Isma'il. '
Allah liked what Ibrahim had done. So He com
manded the Muslims to make a sacrifice in remembrance
on the 'Id al-Adha.
45
May Allah bless Ibrahim, the close friend of Allah
and grant him peace.
The Ka'ba
Ibrahim left Makka a second time and returned a
second time. He decided to build a house for Allah . There
were many houses, but there was no house for Allah where
He alone was worshipped.
Isma'i1 wanted to help build this house for Allah.
So father and son both worked, carrying stones from the
mountains around Makka, and built the Ka'ba with their
own hands.
Ibrahim would always remember Allah and call on
Him . He said: 'Our Lord, accept this from us! You are the
All-Hearing the All-Seeing!' (2: 127)
Allah accepted it from Ibrahim and Isma'il, and
blessed the Ka'ba.
We Muslims face the Ka'ba in every prayer. We
travel to the Ka'ba during the Hajj, and go around it in
tawai and pray there.
May Allah bless Ibrahim and grant him peace! May
Allah bless Isma'i1 and grant him peace! May Allah bless
Muhammad and grant him peace!
Jerusalem
Ibrahim had another wife whose name was Sarah.
By Sarah, Ibrahim had another son whose name
was Ishaq. Ibrahim and Ishaq lived in Palestine. Ishaq built
a house for Allah in Palestine just as his father and brother
had built a house for Allah in Makka.
This mosque which Ishaq built in Palestine is in
46
Jerusalem. It is the AI-Aqsa Mosque and Allah blessed the
land around it.
Allah blessed the sons of Ishaq as He blessed the
sons of Isma'il. There were Prophets and kings among
them. Ishaq had a son whose name was Ya'qub. He was
a Prophet. Ya'qub had twelve sons, including Yusuf ibn
Ya'qub. The wonderful story of Yusuf is in the Qur'an .
Here is that story.
47
A wonderful dream
Yusuf was a young boy, both handsome and
intelligent. He had eleven brothers. His father Ya'qub loved
him more than any of his other sons.
One night Yusuf had a wonderful dream. He saw
eleven stars and the sun and the moon all bowing down
to him. He was quite amazed by the dream. What did it
mean? How could the stars, the sun and the moon bow
down to a man? Young Yusuf went to his father Ya'qub
and told him about his dream .
He said, 'Father, / saw eleven stars, the sun and the
moon in a dream . /saw them bowing down to me. ' (12: 4)
Ya'qub was a Prophet and understood. He was
very happy about this dream. He said, 'Allah has blessed
you, Yusuf. Something great will happen to you . This
dream contains the good news that you will be given
knowledge and prophecy. Allah blessed your grandfather,
Ishaq, and He blessed your ancestor, Ibrahim . He will
bless you and He will bless the family of Ya'qub .'
Ya'qub was an old man who knew about human
nature. He knew how Satan can confuse and overcome
people.
He said: 'M y son, do not tell any of your brothers
about your dream. They will envy you and become your
enemies.'
48
The brothers' envy
Yusuf had another brother by the same mother. His
name was Benyamin. Ya'qub loved them both very much.
He did not love anyone as much as he loved them.
The brothers were jealous of Yusuf and Benyamin
and were very bitter. They would say: 'Why does our
father love Yusuf and Benyamin more than us? Why does
he love them when they are young and weak? Why doesn't
he love us as much, when we are strong young men? This
is very strange indeed.'
Yusuf was young and innocent. He told his brothers
about his dream. The brothers got very angry indeed when
they heard about it, and became even more jealous.
One day the brothers got together and said: 'If we
kill Yusuf or drive him away to some distant land, then we
will have our father's love all to ourselves and he will love
only us.'
One of them said: 'No! Throw him into a well
beside the road. Then some travellers will take him.'
Finally, the brothers agreed to that plan.
A delegation to Ya'qub
Then, the ten brothers went to Ya'qub. Ya'qub was
very afraid for Yusuf. He knew that the brothers were
jealous of him and did not love him, so he would not allow
Yusuf to go away with them. Yusuf used to play with his
brother Benyamin but he did not go far away. The brothers
knew this, but they had decided to do something wicked.
They said: 'Father, why won't you allow Yusuf to
come with us? What are you afraid of? He is our dear, little
brother. We are the sons of the same father. Brothers
49
always play together, so why don't we? Send him with us
tomorrow to frolic andplay. We will watch overhim. '(12: 12)
Ya'qub was an old man, intelligent and wise, and
patient. He did not want Yusuf to go far away from him
because he was very much afraid for him. He told his sons,
'J fear that the wolf may eat him while you are neglecting
him. (12: 13)
I
They said, 'Never! How can the wolf eat him while
we are there? How could it eat him when we are strong
young men?'
In the end Ya'qub gave Yusuf permission to go with
his brothers.
To the wilderness
The brothers were very happy when Ya'qub gave
Yusuf permission to go with them. They took Yusuf into
the wilderness and threw him into a well there. They
showed no mercy to little Yusuf. They showed no mercy
to their father Ya'qub either.
Yusuf was all alone in the deep, dark well. But Allah
. told him: 'Do not be sad. Do not be afraid. Allah is with
you. Something great will happen to you. Your brothers
will come before you and you will tell them what they did.'
After the brothers had thrown Yusuf into the well,
they got together and said: 'What shall we tell our father?'
One of them said: 'Our father said, "I fear that a
wolf may eat him." We will tell him, "You were right,
father, a wolf did eat him.'" The brothers agreed: 'Yes,
we will tell him, "Father, the wolf ate him.'"
One of the brothers then asked: 'But what proof
will we have for that?' The others answered: 'Blood will
provide evidence.'
50
The brothers caught a ram and killed it. Then they
took Yusuf's shirt and dipped it in the blood. They were
very pleased with themselves. They said: 'Now our father
will believe us.'
Before Ya'qub ~
They came weeping to their father in the evening.
They said: 'Father/ we went running races and left Yusuf
with our bags and the wolf ate him.' (12: 17)
They brought his shirt with false blood on it. (12:
18) They said: 'This is Yusuf's blood.'
Their father Ya'qub was a Prophet and an old man,
much wiser than his sons. Ya'qub knew that when a wolf
eats someone, it rips his clothes.
Yusuf's shirt was whole, it had only been dipped
in blood. So Ya'qub knew that it was not Yusuf's blood
and that the story about the wolf had been made up. He
told his sons: 'This is a story that you have made up.
Patience is good. / (12: 18) Ya'qub was sad indeed about
Yusuf, but he had plenty of patience.
51
From the well to the palace
A group of people were travelling to Egypt through
that wilderness. They were thirsty and looking for water.
They saw the well and sent a man to it to bring them some
water.
The man came to the well and let down the bucket.
He pulled the bucket up and there was a boy in it! Surprised,
the man called out: 'Good news! Here is a boy!' (12: 18)
The people hid Yusuf among their merchandise
until they had travelled out of the area. When they got to
Egypt, they stood in the market shouting: 'W ho will buy
this boy? Who will buy this boy?'
The Aziz* of Egypt bought Yusuf for a few silver
coins. The merchants who sold him did not recognize the
worth of Yusuf. The Aziz took him to his palace and told
his wife : 'Treat Yusuf well. He is an intelligent boy.'
52
The wife of the Aziz became very angry indeed
when Yusuf kept refusing her and she said to him: 'Then
you will go to prison!'
Yusuf said, II prefer prison. 1(12: 33)
A few days later, the Aziz decided it was better to
send Yusuf to prison. He knew that Yusuf was innocent,
but even so Yusuf went to prison .
53
proclaim the truth everywhere because the truth is a
blessing, and the Prophets are generous with blessings in
every time and place.
Yusuf's wisdom
Yusuf said to himself: 'Need has driven these two
men to me. The person who is in need is more open and
humble. The person who is in need hears and obeys. If I
teach these men something now, they will listen, and the
people of the prison will also listen.'
So Yusuf did not rush to answer their questions. He
said: 'I will tell you its interpretation before your food is
brought to you.' (12: 37)
The two men sat down and were calm. Then Yusuf
said to them : 'I know how to interpret dreams. That is part
of what my Lord has taught me. '
The men were content to wait and listened patiently.
Yusuf began his warning.
54
Lord of the earth and the Lord of the sea and the Lord of
crops and the Lord of rain." We say: "Allah, the Lord of
the Universe."
'Which is better, many different gods or Allah, the
One the All-Powerful? (12: 39)
l
55
forgot to mention Yusuf in the presence of the King, so
Yusuf remained in prison for several years.
56
The wine-bearer said: 'It is Yusuf the truthful. He is
the one who told me that I would be a wine-bearer to my
master, the King.'
The King wanted to meet Yusuf and sent for him.
He said: 'Bring him to me! I would attach him to myself. I
(12:54)
57
while the common people had nothing. Their houses
would be smartly decorated while the common people
had nothing to wear.
The common people could never benefit from
Egypt's grain storehouses unless a guardian with knowledge
was put in charge of them. A guardian without knowledge
would not know how to run them wisely . Someone who
had knowledge but was not an honest guardian would
cheat the people and use the storehouses for his own
benefit.
Yusuf was an honest man and he had knowledge.
He did not want to see the authorities ignoring the people's
rights any more . He could not bear to see people starve.
Yusuf was not ashamed of the truth. He told the
King: 'Set me over the treasuries ofthe land. Iam a knowing
guardian. 1(12 : 55)
That is how Yusuf was put in charge of the grain
storehouses of Egypt. The common people were very
relieved and praised Allah .
58
They thought that Yusuf was dead. How could he not be
dead when they had thrown him into that deep, dark well,
way out in the wilderness.
Yusut's brothers came and went to him. He knew
them, but they did not know him. (12: 58)
Yusuf remembered how they had thrown him into
the well, how they had wanted to kill him. But Allah had
saved him. Yusuf did not say anything to them. He did
not disgrace them.
59
Yusuf ordered that they be given food. Then he
told them, 'Bring me your brother from your father. (12:
59) If you do not bring him, you will not get any more food.'
Then Yusuf had their money secretly put back in
their bags.
60
food, they entered by separate gates as their father had
told them to do.
When Yusuf saw Benyamin, he was very happy
and had him stay in his house. Yusuf said to Benyamin: 'I
am your brother. I (12: 69) Benyamin was very happy to
meet his brother who he believed had died many years
before. Yusuf remembered his mother and father, his
home; his childhood returned to him in awakened
memories.
Yusuf wanted Benyamin to stay with him so that
he could see him and speak to him every day and ask him
about his home. But how could he make that happen
when Benyamin was going back to Canaan the next day,
when the brothers had made a pledge by Allah that they
would take him back with them? How could Yusuf keep
Benyamin with him for no reason? People would say, 'The
Aziz has detained a Canaanite for no reason. This is a great
injustice.'
But Yusuf was intelligent and clever.
He had a precious drinking cup placed secretly
inside Benyamin's bags. Then, when the brothers left the
next day, some of Yusuf's people went after them. Yusuf
himself followed a little later. When they caught up with
the brothers, they proclaimed: 'You are thieves!'
The brothers were surprised and asked: 'What are
you missing?'
They said: 'We are missing the King's cup. Whoever
brings it will have a camel's load in return. (12: 72)
I
61
The brothers said: 'Its repayment willbe the person
in whose saddle-bag it is found. That is how we repay
wrongdoers. I (12: 75)
The cup was found in Benyamin's saddle-bag. The
brothers were ashamed, but they were without shame
when they said: 'If Benyamin stole, a brother of his stole
before.' Yusuf, who had now reached the others, heard
this lie, but he was silent a.nd did not get angry. He was
noble and patient. The brothers appealed to him.
They said: '0 Aziz! He has an aged father who is
very old. Take one of us in his place. We see that you are
one of those who do good. I
He said: 'Allah forbid that we should take anyone
except the one in whose possession we found our goods.
If we did SOl we would be wrongdoers. I (12: 78-9)
So Benyamin stayed behind with Yusuf. The two
brothers were happy. Yusuf had been alone for a very long
time without seeing any of his family. Allah had sent
Benyamin to him. So why should not he keep his brother
with him so that he could see him and talk to him?
To Ya'qub
The brothers were confused. How could they go
back to their father without Benyamin? The brothers
thought about what they could tell their father. They had
made him suffer over Yusuf. Could they now make him
suffer over Benyamin?
The oldest of them refused to go back to Ya'qub.
He told his brothers: 'Go back to your father and saYI
"Father, your son stole. We only testify to what we know.
We are not guardians of the Unseen. III (12: 81)
When Ya'qub heard their story, he knew that Allah
62
had had a hand in it, and he understood that Allah was
testing him. He had been made to suffer over Yusuf before,
now he was made to suffer over Benyamin. Allah would
not impose two afflictions on him. Allah would not make
him suffer over both Yusuf and Benyamin.
Allah had a hidden hand, and a hidden wisdom,
in it. In such ways He tests his slaves and then He makes
them happy and blesses them.
Also, the oldest son had stayed behind in Egypt,
refusing to return to Canaan. Would Ya'qub be made to
suffer over a third son when he had already been made
to suffer over two sons? It could not be so!
Finally, when Ya'qub was calm again, he said:
'Perhaps Allah will bring them all to me. Allah is the
All-Knowing! the All-Wise. (12: 83)
I
63
poverty and affliction. They asked him to be charitable to
them.
Sorrow and love rose up in Yusuf. He could no
longer bear to listen to the sons of his own father, the sons
of Prophets, complaining about their poverty and affliction
to one of the kings! He thought: How long can I conceal
the truth from them when they are in need? How long can
I go without seeing my father? Then, he said to them: 'Do
you know what you did to Yusuf and his brother when
you were lgnorent?' (12: 89)
The brothers knew that this was a secret known
only to themselves and to Yusuf, so they knew that this
Aziz was Yusuf.
Glory be to Allah! Could Yusuf be alive? He had
not died in the well! Could Yusuf be the Aziz of Egypt, the
famous man in charge of the storehouses of the land, the
one who provided food for them?
They had no doubt that the one who had spoken
to them was Yusuf, son of Ya'qub. They said: 'You are
Yusuf. I (12: 90)
He answered: 'I am Yusufand this Benyamin is my
brother. Allah has been good to us. Whoever fears Allah
and is petient, Allah will not let the wage of those who do
good go to waste. I
64
long to see him when they had been apart for such a long
time? W,hy should he be patient now when the secret had
been disclosed? How could he enjoy food and drink when
his father was not enjoying food or drink or even sleep?
The secret was revealed, all was made known.
Allah wanted to delight Ya'qub.
When Yusuf heard that Ya'qub had gone blind
because of his great weeping and sorrow, he said: 'Take
this shirt of mine and throw it over my father's face. He
will recover his sight. Then bring me all of your family. I
(12:93)
65
interpretation ofmy dream oflong ago. My Lord has made
it true. (12: 100) I saw eleven stars/ the sun and the moon.
I saw them bowing down to me.' (12: 4)
Yusuf praised Allah greatly. He was very thankful
for what had happened.
Ya'qub and his family stayed in Egypt for a long
time. Ya'qub and his wife died in Egypt.
A good end
Although he was a ruler, with great power and
authority, this did not distract Yusuf from Allah. It did not
change him. He remembered Allah, worshipped Him and
feared Him. He gave judgement according to the judge
ment of Allah. He carried out Allah's commands.
Yusuf did not want to die the death of a king. He
did not want to be gathered with the kings. He wanted to
die the death of a slave of Allah and to be gathered with
the righteous.
This was Yusuf's prayer:
My Lord, You have given me a kingdom and taught
me the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens
and the earth! You are my Guardian in this world and the
next world. Make me die a Muslim and join me with the
righteous. (12: 101)
Allah made him die a Muslim and joined him with
his fathers, Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ya'qub, may Allah bless
them and the Prophet Muhammad and grantthem peace.
66
6. The Prophet Musa
67
After Yusuf
After some time, Ya'qub died and was buried in
Egypt. Yusuf grieved over him and so did the people of
Egypt. It was as if they had lost their own father.
After a time, Yusuf also died. That was a terrible
day for the people of Egypt. They were very sad and wept
over him for a long time. They forgot their own sorrows
in this greater sorrow. It was as if they had never been
visited by any affliction before that day.
They buried Yusuf as well and consoled each other.
They were all equal in their love for Yusuf. It was as if
every child had lost a father and every adult had lost a
brother. They went to Yusuf's sons and brothers to comfort
them. They told them: 'Masters! Your loss today is no
greater than our loss. We have lost a compassionate
brother, a merciful and just master, in this man we buried
today.
'He is the one who gave relief to the slaves and
removed injustice from our country. He is the one who
kept the great from ha.rming the lowly and the strong from
overpowering the weak. He is the one who helped those
who had been wronged and gave refuge to those who
were afraid, and fed those who were hungry.
'He is the one who guided us to the truth and called
us to Allah. Before he carne, we were like dumb animals
who knew nothing about Allah or the Next World.
'He is the one who helped us during the famine.
We were able to eat our fill while people in other countries
were starving. We will never forget our noble king and we
will never forget, lords, that you are his brothers and the
people of his house.
'How happy our master was on the day when you
came to Egypt! How happy we were to share our master's
68
joy! The land is yours, and we will behave towards you
just as we did when our master was alive.'
69
king of Egypt. He did not even consider them human beings
entitled to mercy and justice.
He thought that his people, the Copts, were one
race and the Israelites a.nother. The Copts were a kingly
race, created to rule; the Israelites were a race of slaves,
created to serve.
Pharaoh treated the Israelites like work-animals who
were there to serve and needed only to be fed and watered
da.ily.
He was an arrogant tyrant who believed that no-one
was higher than him. He did not believe in Allah. He used
to say: 'I am your Lord Most High. I (79: 24)
He was dazzled by his kingdom, his palaces, and
his abundant provision. He used to say: 'Do I not possess
the kingdom ofEgypt and these rivers flowing beneath me?
Whatl do you not see? (43: 51)
He behaved as if he was the successor to Nimrod,
the King of Babylon. He became angry if.he learned that
anyone was thought of as being higher than him. He called
on people to worship him and prostrate themselves before
him, and they obeyed. But the Israelites refused because
they believed in Allah and in His Messengers. Pharaoh
therefore became very angry indeed with the Israelites.
70
like a sheep-owner who thinks he can kill or let live
whichever of 'his' sheep he likes. "
The guards searched throughout Egypt. Whenever
they learned that a male child had been born among the
Israelites, they took him and killed him. "
Wolves living in the woods, and snakes and' scorp
ions living in the desert, were ignored and safe. But no
new-born boy of the Israelites was allowed to live in
Pharaoh's kingdom.
Thousands of children were killed in front of their
mothers and fathers. The day on which a malechild was
born to the Israelites was a day of sorrow and weeping..It
was like a" funeral day, a day for grief. Sometimes hundreds
of children were killed on the same day.
Pharaoh had exalted himself in the land end had
divided its inhabitants into- sects, abasing a group of them,
slaughtering their sons and letting their women live. He
was one of those who work corruption. (28: 4)
In the Nile
Musa's mother was afraid for her beautiful son.
How could she help it when the children's enemies were
71
searching for him? How could she" help being afraid when
the guards had dragged dozens of children from their
mothers' laps?
. What could she do? Where -could she hide her
'beautiful child when the guards had the sharp sight of
crows and the keen smell of ants?
Then Allah helped Musa's mother arid inspired her
with the idea of putting him in a box andfloating it down
the Nile.
Glory be to Allah! How could a tender-hearted
mother put her child into a box and then put Oft into the
Nile? Who would suckle the child in the box? How would
it breathe?
Musa's mother thought of all that, but she still put
her trust in Allah and relied on Allah's protection. Her
home was not able to protect the child any more than the
box; there were guards everywhere, seeking out the
new-born children.
SoMusa's mother did what Allah had commanded
her to do and put her beautiful child in a box and pushed
it out into the water of the Nile. She was anxious, but then
she became calm because of her. trust in Allah.
So 'We inspired the mother of Musa: 'Suckle him.
And, when you fear for him, put him into the river. Do
not fear or sorrow. We will return him to you and make
him one of the Messengers. (28: 7)
I
In Pharaoh's palace
Pharaoh had many palaces on the banks of the
Nile. He used to visit these palaces and would sometimes
stroll along the banks of the river.
One day, Pharaoh and the Queen of Egypt were
72
walking along the river bank when they noticed a box
being carried along by the current
'My lord, do you see that box?'
'How can there be a box in the Nile? It is a piece
of wood which has fallen into the river?'
'No, my lord, it is a box.'
The box came nearer and the people said: 'Yes, it
is. a box!'
The King commanded one of his servants: 'Go and..
get this box!'
The servant brought the box to the King. They
opened it and inside they found a beautiful, smiling boy.
Everyone was amazed. They wanted to hold him
and look at him. Even Pharaoh was amazed and stared at
him.
One of the servants said: 'It is an Israelite child. The'
King must kill it.'
When the Queen saw the child love filled her heart
and she clasped him to' her breast and kissed him. She
pleaded with the King for him: 'He will be a comfort to
me and you! Do not kill him. Perhaps he will benefit us
or we can take him for a son. / (28: 9)
So Musa ibn 'Imran entered the palace of Pha.raoh.
He survived in spite of Pharaoh and his guards. The guards
had not been guided to this Israelite child.
Allah wanted Pharaoh, 'the children's enemy,' to
bring up the very child at whose hands his kingdom would
be lost. Ah Pharaoh! How wrong he was about Musa! His
minister, Haman, and his armies were wrong as well! So
the family of Pharaoh picked him out to be an enemy and
a sorrow for them. Pharaoh/ Haman and their armies were
sinners. (28: 8) .
73
Who will suckle the child?
The child became the new plaything of the palace.
Everyonecame to look at him and kissed him. Everyone loved
and praised him because the Queen loved and praised him.
How could the ladies of the palace not love him?
How could the servants of the palace not love him? Everyone
held him and kissed him because he was so beautiful.
The Queen looked for a wet-nurse to nurse the
child. The nurse came and took the child, but he refused
to take her milk and cried. The Queen got another nurse
who came and took the child. Again, the child refused
and cried. There was a third, fourth and fifth, but the child
cried and refused their milk.
How puzzling! Why did the child refuse to feed?
The nurses tried hard to give the child their milk. They
wanted to make the Queen happy and to win a reward from
her. But Allah had made those nurses unlawful for him.
The child became the talk of the palace, the centre
of everybody's attention:
'Sister, have you seen the new child?'
'Yes, I've seen him. A very beautiful child!'
'But an odd child! Not like other children. He will
not take milk.'
'Whenever a nurse takes him, he cries and refuses
to feed. Poor boy! How will he live? He will die!'
'Yes, it has been some days since he has fed.'
74
Musa's sister went to look for her brother. Sheheard
the talk about a beautiful child in the King's palace. She
went to the palace and listened to the women.
'Has the wet-nurse the Queen sent for come from
Aswan?'
'Yes, my lady, but the child refused her. and would
not take her milk.'
'Goodness! What is wrong with this child? This is
the sixth person the Queen has tried.'
'Yes, and they. say that she is a very clean nurse
and all children take milk from her.'
Musa's sister heard what was said. Then she said
in a polite and friendly way: 'I know a woman in the town.
The child will definitely accept milk from her.'
One woman said: 'I don't believe it. We have tried
six wet-nurses, but the child has refused.'
Another woman said: 'Why don't we try a seventh?
Why not?'
The news reached the Queen. She summoned the
girl and said: 'Go and bring this woman.'
'Musa's mother came. A serving girl gave Musa to
her. The child clung to her and began to accept milk from
her as if he had been with her since birth. How could he
not have, seeing as she was his own loving mother? How
could he not want his own mother's milk when he had
gone hungry for three days?
The Queen and the people of the palacewere amazed.
Pharaoh was uneasy. He said: 'Why did the child
accept this woman? Is she his real mother?'
Musa's mother said: 'My lord, I am a woman with a
good smell, the smell of milk which every child accepts.'
Pharaoh was satisfied with her reply and paid her a
wage.
75
Musa's mother then returned home with Musa in
her arms: So We returned him to his mother so that she
might be comforted and not sorrow and so that she might
know that the promise of Allah is true, but most people
do not know. (28: 13)
76
One day Musa entered Pharaoh's city where people
were busy either working or enjoying themselves. He found
there two men fighting, one from the Israelites and the
other from the Copts, the enemies of the Israelites.
The Israelite shouted to Musa to help him. Musa,
trying to stop the two men fighting, hit the Copt. The Copt
died.
Musa was filled with regret, knowing that it had all
been Satan's doing. He turned to Allah in repentance. That
is the way of all the Prophets. He said: 'This is from Satan IS
doing. He is a clear. misguiding enemy. (28: 15)
I
77
AU the same, Musa wanted to stop the two men
fighting and started towards them .. However, the Israelite,
seeing Musa's anger and hearing himself blamed, was afraid
that Musa was about to strike him such as he had struck the
Copt the previous day, and so he blurted out: 'Muse, do
you want to kill me as you killed a man yesterday? You only
mean to bea tvrentin the land. You do not want to be one
ofthose who put things right. (28: 19)
I
78
Allah revealed to Musa to go to Midian, an Arab
land, where Pharaoh's power did not reach. Midian was
mostly desert and villages. It did not have the civilization,
the castles and markets, of Egypt. But it was a happy land
because it was far from Pharaoh and free of his tyrannical
power.
How wonderful desert life is when it offers freedom
and justice! How miserable civilization is when it offers
slavery and abasement! No-one in Midian woke up in fear
of the force and power of Pharaoh. No-one went to-bed
in Midian in fear of Pharaoh's guards or his evil.
Musa left Egypt in fear, watchful in case anyone
pursued him. But the guards did not know he had left
Egypt. He left in the name of Allah, calling on Allah for
help. As he headed towards Midian, he said: 'It may be
that my Lord will guide me on the right way. (28: 22)
I
In Midian
Musa reached Midian, not knowing anyone or
being known by anyone. Where could he find shelter?
Where could he spend the night? Musa was anxious, but
he was certain that Allah would not let him die.
Musa came to a well where people got water for
their animals. He found two girls there, holding back their
sheep and waiting for the others to finish getting water so
that they could have their turn.
Musa saw that and his heart was filled with the
compassion and tenderness of a merciful father. He asked:
'Why aren't you getting water?'
They replied: 'We cannot take- water for our sheep
until the other people have got water because they are
strong and we are weak, and because they are men and
79
we are women.' Then, as if they knew that Musa was
thinking, Why doesn't one of the men of your house get
the water?, they added: 'Our father is an oldman. 1(28: 23)
Compassion touched Musa and he drew water for
them. Then they left.
Where would Musa go now? Where would he find
shelter for the night? Then he turned away to the shade
and said: 'My Lord, I am certainly in need of whatever
good You will send down on me. (28: 24)
I
The request
The two girls arrived home sooner than expected.
Their father, a priest, was surprised and asked them: 'Why
are you home so early, my daughters?'
The girls' said: 'Allah sent a noble man to us who
got us water.'
Their father realized that it must have been a
stranger because no-one there had ever been kind to his
daughters.
He said: 'Where did you leave this man?'
The girls replied: 'We left him at the well. He is a
stranger and has no home here in Midian.'
The old man said: 'You did not do well, my
daughters. A stranger has been good to you but he has no
shelter in the land. Wherewillhe find shelter for the night?
We' owe him the right of hospitality. One of you should
go and bring him.'
Then one of the girls came to him, walking mod
estly. She said: 'My father invites you that he might repay
you for the wage of your drawing water for us. (28: 25)
I
80
offer. He walked ahead of the girl so that he would not
be looking at her. This was a noble courtesy.
When they arrived, Musa was asked his name and
from what country he had come.
The old man listened patiently. When Musa had
finished, he said: 'Do not fear. Youheve escaped from
unjust people. / (28: 25)
Marriage
81
He addressed his thoughts to Musa in a kindly and
courteous manner. He said: II would like you to marry
one of my two daughters/ provided you work for me for
eight years. If you complete ten years/ that will be on your
own account. I do not desire to press you hard. You will
find me one of the righteous/ Allah willing. / (28: 27)
Eight years to be spent with him was the bride-price
the old man had asked. Perhaps he feared that Musa might
take his daughter and leave straightaway. In this way he
thought he could test Musa until he was sure of him and
then he could bid him and his daughter farewell with peace
of mind.
Musa agreed to these terms, trusting that it was from
Allah and that Allah would bless him in it. Allah had led
him to Midian and brought him to the old man and had
put tenderness and love into his heart. But as Musa was
wise and intelligent, he wanted to choose later on the
number of years he stayed with the old man. He said:
'Thet is between me and you. Whichever of the two terms
I fulfill it shall be no injustice on my part. Allah is the
guardian of what we say. (28: 28)
I
To Egypt
When Musa had finished the term and departed
with his household (28: 29), he and the priest said
good-bye to one another. The priest said a prayer for him:
'Go with my blessing, my son. Go in Allah's protection,
my daughter.'
Musa travelled with his family. The night was cold
and dark. But where was fire to be found in the desert?
What would they do if they could not find a fire to warm
them or light to guide them? While they were travelling
82
and Musa was searching, he observed a fire. He said to
his household, 'Stey here. / have observed a fire. Perhaps
/ will bring you a brand from it or / shall find guidance at
the fire. (20: 10)
I
(20: 20)
Allah said: 'Take it and do not fear. We will return
it to its former state. (20: 21)
I
83
insolent and was encouraging corruption in the land.
Pharaoh's people had rejected Allah, and they too had a
corruptive influence in the land. Allah does not like His
slaves to refuse to believe in Him. He does not like
corruption in the la.nd. He wanted Musatogo to Pharaoh
and Pharaoh's subjects: They were an ungodly people.
(28: 32)
But how could Musago back there and confront
the tyrant? He had killed a Copt. and had been forced to
leave Egypt in fear of his life. Moreover, he was well-known
to the guards and the people of the pa.lace.
He said: "My Lord, I killed one of them and I fear
that they will kill me. I (28: 33)
.Allah knew all of this but wanted Musa to go in
spite of it: "Go to the people of the evildoers, the people
of the Pharaoh. Will they not be godteering?'
He seid: "My Lord, I fear that they will deny me and
my breast will be constricted and my tongue will not be
loosened, so send for Harun (to help me). They also hold
againstme a wrong ection, and I fearthat they will kill me. I
He said: 'No, indeed. GOI both of you, with Our
signs. We will be with you. listening. Go to Pharaoh and
saYI ""I am the Messenger of the Lord of all the worlds.
Send the Children of Israel with us. I I I (26: 10-17)
Allah advised Musa and Harun to be gentle and
kind with Pharaoh. Allah likes to be kind to His enemies
for a time, so that they may reform themselves: "Speak
gently to him. He may heed or fear. I (20: 44)
Before Pharaoh
Musa and Harun went to Pharaoh and stood in his
Council, calling him to Allah. The tyrant became angry at
Musa's boldness and said with disdain and arrogance:
"Who are you, young man, to stand up in my Council and'
admonish me? Aren't you the boy whom we pulled out
of the water? Did we not bring you up among us as a
child? Did you not stay with us for many years ofyour life?
Then you did the deed you did, being one of the
ungrateful!' (26: 18-19)
Musa did not get angry or deny this. He clid not
argue or make excuses. He spoke plainly and with great
dignity. He said: 'Indeed I did it then, for I was one of
those who are astray. So I fled from you, fearing you. But
my Lord gave me judgement and made me one of the
Messengers. I (26: 20-1)
Musa went on: 'Pharaoh, you were gracious to me
in that you brought me up. But you do not see why I came
into your hands or why you were able to bring me up. If
you had not given the command for the children to be
killed, my mother would not ha,ve put me into the Nile
and I would not have come into your hands. Is that then
a blessing to be remembered and weighed against your
injustice and cruelty? You treated all my people as if they
were donkeys and beasts. You treated them like dogs. You
inflicted terrible punishment on them.
'Certainly you brought me.up, but that is a blessing
which you reproach me with, having enslaved the Children
of Israel. (26: 22) Then what virtue can you claim for
yourself for looking after one of their children? That also
only came about through ignorance and error!'
Calling to Allah
Pharaoh was speechless. He tried to bluster his way
out of it by asking: 'What is the Lord of all the worlds that
I hear you mentioning?'
85
He said: 'The Lord of the heavens and the earth
and what is between them ifyou have certainty. 1(26: 23-4)"
Pharaoh was a.ngered by Musa's reply and wanted
to provoke the people of the Council against him. So he
said to those about him: 'Do you not hear?' (26: 25)
Musa continued: 'Your Lord and the Lord of your
fathers, the ancients. I (26: 26)
Pharaoh could not contain his anger. He said: 'Your
messenger who has been sent to you ispossessedJ'(26: 27)
Musa still did not stop speaking. He said: 'The Lord
of the East and the West and what is between them if you
have understanding. I (26: 28)
Pharaoh wanted to distract Musa from this argument
that was so hard for him, and to provoke his Council to
anger. He asked Musa: 'What about the former genera
tions?' (20: 51) His thinking was: If Musa says that jhe
forefathers knew the truth, then I wi II say, 'Th"ey worsh ipped
idols.' If Musa says that they were misguided and foolish,
the people of the Council will become angry and say,
'Musa has cursed our forefathers!'
But Musa was more intelligent than Pharaoh. He
possessed a light from his Lord. He said: 'The knowledge
of them is with my Lord in a Book. My Lord does not err
nor does He forget. I (20: 52)
Then Musa went on to say what Pharaoh had been
trying to avoid hearing··himself,···and prevent others from
heari ng. He said: 'My Lord does not err nor does He forget,
the One who appointed the earth to be a couch for you
and threaded roads in it for you and sent down water from
heaven. I (20: 52-3)
Pharaoh was confused. He did not know what to
say. Then he tried to frighten Musa. He said: 'If you take
a god other than mel I will make you one of the
imprisoned!' (26: 29)
86
Musa's miracles
When Pharaoh had shot that bolt, Musa wanted to
hit him with Allah's bolt. He seid, 'Whatl even if I bring
you something deer? (26: 30)
Pharaoh said: 'Bring it then if you are one of the
truthful. (26: 31)
I
87
Perhaps we will follow the sorcerers if they are the
winners. I (26: 40)
To the square
The people left their houses in the morning and
walked to the square in throngs. Children, young and old
people, men and women, all were going to the square.
Only the sick and the very old were left at home.
All the talk was of sorcery and the names of
sorcerers.
'Has the Great Wizard of Aswan* come as- well?'
'Yes, and the Wizard of Luxor* and the famous
sorcerer of Giza*.'
'Brother, who do you think will win?'
'Egypt is putting forward her very best! Do you think
anyone can beat them?'
'How can Musa and his brother beat them? Where
did they learn magic?'
'He grew up in the King's palace and he left Egypt
in fear for his life and then he spent some years in Midian.'
'So where did he learn magic?'
'In Egypt? Never!'
'In Midian? We have not heard that they possess
that science there.'
The Israelites came, torn between hope and despair,
perhaps more in a state of despair, saying, 'May Allah show
mercy to 'Imran's son! May Allah help the Israelites!'
The sorcerers came forward in all their pride and
arrogance, clothed in colourful garments, carrying their
staffs and ropes. They were laughing and joking for this
88
was the day of their science: today the King would see
their art! Today the people would see their excellence!
When the sorcerers camel they said to Pharaoh:
'Shall we have a wage if we are the victors?
He said: 'Yes, and you shall be among those
near-stationed.' (26: 41-2)
Such are the rewards and gifts offered by kings!
That is how good men are deceived and trapped. But the
sorcerers were happy with Pharaoh's promises.
89
Allah would never decree that! Allah would never
permit that! Alla.h gave Musa courage and said: 'Do not
be afraid. You-certainly have the upper hand. Throw down
what is in your right hand. It will swallow up what they
have fashioned. They have only fashioned the guile of a
sorcerer. The sorcerer does not prosper wherever he goes. /
(20: 68-9)
Musa said: 'What you have brought is sorcery.
Allah will bring itto nothing. Allah does not uphold the
deeds of those who do corruption. Allah verifies the truth
by His words/ even though the wrong-doers are averse. /
(10: 81-2)
Musa threw down his staff and it swallowed up
their lying invention. (26: 45) The truth came to pass and
whet they were doing was proved false. (7: 11 8)
The. sorcerers could hardly believe what they saw:
'What is this? We know sorcery and what it is based on.
We know magic in all its forms. We are the masters, the
leaders, of the art! But this does not come from sorcery!
'If it had been sorcery, we would have beaten it
with sorcery, confronting science with science. But our
sorcery fades away in the face of this. It melts away as dew
melts before the sun. Where is this from? This must be
from Alla.h!'
The sorcerers were satisfied that Musa was a
Prophet and that Allah had given him a miracle. They cried
out aloud: 'We believe in the Lord of Harun and Musa. /
The sorcerers fell down in prostration. They said: 'We
believe in the Lord ofall the worlds/ the Lord ofMusa and
Harun. / (26: 48)
90
Pharaoh's threat
Pharaoh became wild with rage. He leapt to his
feet and sat down again, helpless with anger. The very
thing he feared had happened! He had brought the best
sorcerers to defeat Musa but the sorcerers had become
Musa's followers! Also the people were now the first to
believe in Musa! His arrows were turned back againsthim.
Pharaoh had believed that he controlled minds just
as he controlled bodies, that he had power over hearts
just as he had power over tongues. No-one in Egypt was
allowed to believe or accept anything without his permis
sion. He spoke with pride and arrogance: 'You have
believed in Him before I gave you leave?' (26: 49)
Pharaoh then shot another arrow, saying, 'H e is
your chief, the same one who taught you sorcery!' (26: 49)
Then he struck at them again, accusing them of a
plot: 'This is a trick you have devised in the city in order
to expel itspeople from it. Now you shall know!'(7 : 123)
Then he struck at them with a third poisoned arrow,
the final arrow in the quiver of an earthly ruler. He said:
'I shall cut off your hands and feet alternately and I will
crucify all of you. ' (26: 50-1)
These believers met all the arrows with the shield
of belief and patience. They said : 'N o matter! Indeed we
are turning to our Lord. We ardently hope for our Lord to
forgive us our sins and we are the first of the believers.'
(26 : 50-1)
They spoke with firm belief: 'We believe in our Lord
that He might forgive us our sins and the sorcery you forced
us to practise. Allah is better and endures forever. Whoever
comes to his Lord as a sinner will have ]ahannam (Hell).
There he will neither die nor live. Whoever comes to Him
91
as a believer1 having performed righteous ections, those
will have the highest degrees, the gardens of Eden with
rivers flowing underneath them. That is the reward ofthose
who purify themselves. 1 (20: 74-6)
Pharaoh's folly
Pharaoh was deeply worried by Musa . He spent
sleepless nights, unable even to enjoy his food or drink.
Other people also provoked him and he became even
angrier. They said: IWiII you leave Musa and his people
to work corruption in the land and leave your gods?
He said: IWe shall slaughter their sons and let their
women live. We are in power over theml' (7: 127)
Anxious to stop the Israelites and the Egyptians
believing in Musa, Pharaoh proclaimed among his people:
10 people! Do I not possess the kingdom of Egypt and
these rivers flowing under me? What do you not see? Am
l
92
Pharaoh was disappointed and ashamed. He was
powerless to do his will. He did not know that Allah created
the earth and the highest heavens. To Him belongs
whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth
and whatever is between them and what is under the earth.
(20: 4-6) .
He is the One who is Cod in the heavens and Cod
in the earth. (43: 84)
Pharaoh decided that the only way to beat Musa
was to kill him. Pharaoh said: 'Let me kill Musa and let
him call to his Lord. I fear that he may change your religion
orhe may cause corruption to appear in the land. 1(40: 26)
93
Pharaoh's answer was: 'I only let you see what I
myselfsee and I only guide you on the path ofguidance. /
(40: 29)
The believer wanted to warn his people about a
ter"rible punishment and the fate of those who are unjust.
He said: '0 my people/ I fear for you the like of the day
of the Parties/ the like of what happened to the people of
Nuh, 'Ad and Thamud and those after them. Allah does
not desire injustice for His servants. / (40: 31)
This sensible man tried to make them fear the Day
of Judgement. And how awesome is that Day!
A day when a man shall flee from his brother/ his
mother and his father/ and his wife and his sons. Every
man on that day will have concern enough for himself to
make him heedless (of others). (80: 34-7)
Friends on that day will be enemies to one another/
except for the God-fearing. (43: 67)
There will be no kinship between them and they
will not question one another. (23: 101 )
On the day when the All-Powerful King calls out:
'Whose is the Kingdom todey? 'Allah's, the One/ the
All-Mighty. / (40: 16)
The day when people are alarmed and shout and
call to one another, the day when they turn around in
retreat, they will have no protector against Allah.
The sensible man then said: '0 my people, I fear
for you the Day of Invocation! the day when you turn
about in retreat. having no protector against Allah. Who
ever Allah misguides has no guide for him. / (40: 33)
He continued: 'Allah gave you a blessing, but you
did not recognize its excellence, nor did you value it as it
should have been valued, until it had gone. Then you
regretted it. That was the Prophet Yusuf, may Allah's peace
94
and blessing be upon him, whom you did not recognize
and whose worth you did not esteem.
'But when he died, you said, "Glory be to Allah!
There will never be a Prophet like Yusuf! There will never
be a king like Yusuf! There will never be a man like Yusuf!
Who will we have for a Prophet after him? Who will we
ever have like him? No-one! There will never be anyone
like him!"
'Yusut brought you the clear signs betore, but you
continued in doubt concerning what he had brought you
until you said, "Allah will never send a messenger after
him. (40: 34)
II
95
Those of his people who were ignorant began to
call him back to unbelief and idol-worship, back to the
religion of their ancestors. When he said to them, 'Come
to Allah,' they said, 'Return to the religion of your ances
tors.'
They insisted so much that he said to them: '0 my
people; how is it that I call you to salvation while you call
me to the Fire? You call me to reject Allah and associate
with Him that of which I have no knowledge; while I call
you to the Mighty; the Forgiving.' (40: 41-2) He asked
them: 'What Prophet has come from your gods? What
book has been sent down? Who has called you to what
you believe? These are names you have named; you and
your fathers. Allah has not sent down any authority for
them. (53: 23)
'It is the Messengers of Allah who call to Allah.
Among them were Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and
Yusuf. And Musa is the Prophet of Allah.
'There is a sign of Allah in every thing, a call to Him
in every place. While there can be 'no doubt that what
you call me to does not have any claim; either in this world
or in the Next World. I (40: 43)
When the man despaired of guiding them and was
exasperated with their stupidity, he left them, saying, 'You
will remember what I told you. I entrust my affair to Allah.
Allah sees His slaves.' (40: 44)
The people of Pharaoh became angry and wanted
to kill him, but Allah protected him and destroyed his
enemies.
Allah guarded him against the evils they devised
and an evil punishment encompassed the people of
Pharaoh. (40: 45)
96
Pharaoh's wife
Pharaoh believed that he was the master of people's
minds in the same way that he was of their bodies, that
he had power over people's hearts as he had power over
their tongues. No-one in Egypt was allowed to believe
anything or accept anything without his permission.
When anyone believed in Musa, even in the furthest
part of his kingdom, Pharaoh became furious. He leapt to
his feet and sat down again, he thundered and raged. He
would say: 'How can he believe in Musa before I have
given him permission! He lives in comfort in my kingdom
and now he rebels against me! He consumes my provision
and now he is ungrateful to me! I have a better right to
every single man in Egypt than the man himself has!'
Pharaoh forgot that he was living in comfort in
Allah's kingdom and yet he was rebelling against Him. He
was consuming Allah's provision and yet was ungrateful
to Him.
Allah showed him a sign in his own house, within
his own family . Allah showed him that He alone is the
King of people's minds in the same way that He is the King
of their bodies, that He alone has power over people's
hearts as He has power over their tongues. Allah can come
between a man and his family, between a man and his
heart.
Belief entered Pharaoh's house without him being
aware of it, showing that he was not in control of anything.
Pharaoh's wife believed in Allah and rejected Pharaoh. She
believed in Musa in spite of her husband, the King of Egypt.
She knew Pharaoh better than anyone else, and Pharaoh
loved her better than anyone else, but she believed in Musa
and in the message he brought from Allah.
97
Pharaoh's guards could not do anything; they were
unaware of this event. Indeed, Pharaoh, who was closest
to the Queen, was himself unaware of it. Even if Pharaoh
had known, what could he have done? He owned people's
bodies, but not their minds. He had power over people's
tongues, but no power over their hearts.
A woman should obey her husband, but no-one
should obey a creature who is in rebellion against his Creator.
Children should obey their parents and be dutiful to them,
but they do not have to obey them in the associating of
things with Allah : If they try to make you associate with Me
what you have no knowledge ot, do not obey them. Keep
their company in this world kindly and follow the path of
the one who turns to Me. Then you will return to Me and I
will tell you what you were doing. (31: 15)
Pharaoh's wife was correct in her belief. She
worshipped Allah in the house of Allah's enemy. She
declared to Allah that she was innocent of what Pharaoh
was doing. Allah was pleased with Pharaoh's wife and
saved her from Pharaoh and his actions. Allah made her
an example for the believersthrough her faith and courage.
Allah made an example of PharaohIS wife for those
who believe when she seid, IMy Lord, build me a house
with You in the Garden and save me from Pharaoh and
his deeds and save me from the unjust people. I (66: 11)
98
Musa consoled his people and advised them to be
patient. He told them: 'Pray forAllah's help and be patient.
The land belongs to Allah. He willbequeath it to whomever
of His slaves He wills. The final outcome belongs to those
who fear Allah.' (7: 128)
The Israelites disliked this trial and persecution and
told Musa: 'You haven 't helped us at all! You haven't
spared us anything! We were harmed before you came to
us and after you came to us. ' (7: 129)
But Musa was not alarmed . He did not despair. He
said, 'Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and will
appoint you successors in the land, so that He can see
how you act.'
Musa said: '0 my people, if you believe in Allah,
you must trust in Him, if you have surrendered yourselves
to Him. '
They said: 'We have put our trust in Allah, our
Lord. Do not make us a temptation for the wrong-doing
people. Save us by Your mercy from the people of the
unbelievers.' (10: 84-6)
Pharaoh had forbidden the Israelites from worship
ping Allah . He was angry when he saw them worshipping
Him or praying to Him. He had forbidden them from
making mosques for Allah in his land . It enraged him to
see Allah being worshipped in his land.
How ignorant of Allah he was! The land belongs
to Allah, not to any Pharaoh. Who could be more unjust
than someone who forbids Allah 's slaves from worshipping
Allah in Allah's land . Who could be more unjust than
someone who calls on people to worship himself in Allah 's
. land?
But Pharaoh could not keep people from doing
whatever they liked intheir own homes! Allah commanded
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the Israelites on the tongue of Musa: 'M ake your houses
a direction for men to pray, and perform the prayer.'
(10: 87)
Pharaoh and his guards were powerless to prevent
the Israelites worshipping Allah. Who can come between
a slave and his Lord? Who can come between a Muslim
and the worship of Allah?
Famines
As Pharaoh became more tyrannical and heedless,
Allah wanted to warn him . Allah does not like His slaves
to disbelieve. He does not like corruption in the land.
Pharaoh was very silly. Wise words and warnings
were wasted on him . Certain donkeys do not take any
notice until they are beaten. Allah wanted to make Pharaoh
take notice .
Egypt was a green, fertile land, a land of blessings
and fruits, a land where grain grew in abundance. You
remember how Egypt helped distant lands in the years of
famine during the time of Yusuf and how Egypt helped the
people of Syria and Canaan. The Nile gives water to Egypt
and irrigates its crops. It is a source of joy and blessing to
the people of that land.
Pharaoh and the Egyptian people thought that the
Nile was the key to their provision and the Nile made Egypt
so rich that it did not need rain or anything else. They did
not know that the keys of provision are with Allah and that
Allah gives provision to whoever He wills, and withholds
it from whoever He wills . They did not know that the Nile
flows and floods at Allah's command .
Allah commanded the Nile, and its waters receded
and disappeared into the ground . Without those waters
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how could the crops of the Egyptian people be irrigated?
The fruits of the land disappeared and its grain dwindled.
There was famine after famine.
Pharaoh was seen to be powerless. Haman was
seen to be powerless. Pharaoh's guards were seen to be
unable to devise any plot. Then the people of Egypt knew
that Pharaoh was not their Lord and that provision was in
the hands of Allah. But that did not benefit Pharaoh or his
people, it did not wake them up. Satan was able to come
between them and the warning lesson they had been given.
They decided: 'These famines and bad years are bad luck
which come from Musa and his people.'
How strange an excuse! Had Musa not been there
before? Had not the Israelites been there for a long time?
It was bad luck brought about by their own actions, their
own unbelief. But Pharaoh and his people were stubborn
and said: 'We will not submit to this magic. Whatever sign
you bring to us to bewitch us/ we will not believe you. /
(7: 132)
Five signs
Allah then sent them another sign. He sent rains
and the Nile overflowed. It rained and rained until the
fields were so flooded that the crops were washed away.
The rain became a curse. The people complained about
the lack of it and now they were complaining about too
much.
Then Allah sent locusts which devoured the crops
and fields and stripped the trees. They left nothing behind.
The armies of Pharaoh could not fight the army of Allah.
How could they fight them when neither swords nor spears
were of any use against them?
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The people of Egypt saw that Pharaoh was weak
and that Haman was powerless and that the plots of the
guards were of no use. But they did not reflect! They did
not take note!
Allah then sent another army, an army of lice. He
gave the lice power over them. We seek refuge with Allah!
Lice in their beds, in their clothes, on their heads, in their
hair! They spent sleepless nights looking for lice and cursing
them until morning. How could they fight them, when
neither swords nor spears affected them. Their armies and
guards could not save them.
Then Allah sent frogs. There were frogs in their
storage vessels for food and drink. They found frogs even
in their clothes. The frogs made their lives a misery. The
frogs multiplied and were found all over their houses. They
croaked all night. One jumped here and another hopped
there. Whenever they killed one, ten more appeared. The
guards were powerless against the frogs.
Allah then sent a fifth sign against them: blood. Their
noses bled and this enfeebled and exhausted them. Their
doctors were unable to treat them. No medicine helped.
Whenever they saw a sign, they said to Musa: 'Ask
your Lord to remove this affliction from us. We repent and
believe, and we will send the Israelites away with you.'
But when Allah removed the affliction from them, they
broke their promise.
So we let loose on them the flood and the locusts
and lice/ the frogs and the blood/ distinct signs. But they
became proud and were a sinful people. (7: 133)
The departure
The Israelites realized that they could not live any
longer in Egypt. Though it was a vast land, what use could
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they make of its fertility and blessings while they were in
prison suffering all sorts of torment and humiliation? How
long could they be patient? Were they not human beings
suffering injury and pain?
Allah revealed to Musa that he should lead the
Israelites out of Egypt. Pharaoh's guards hea.rd of this and
informed Pharaoh.
One night Musa led the twelve tribes of Israelites,
each with its own leader, out of Egypt towards the Holy
Land. The road to Syria was direct and well-known. It went
between the two lands. Musa had already travelled it when
he went to Midian, and again when he returned to Egypt.
But Musa meant to go one way while Allah intended
him to go another. WhatAllah wanted was what happened.
In the darkness Musa took the wrong road and, when
Musa made this mistake, what Allah willed to happen
happened. Musa intended to take the Israelites to the north.
However, they found themselves heading towards the east.
They found themselves on the shores of the Red Sea.
'0 Protector! 0 Veiler! Where are we?'
The answer was: 'We are on the seashore.'
As the dawn broke, they looked back and saw a
huge cloud of dust. Coming after them was a great army
which filled the horizon. Voices were raised, saying, 'Son
of 'Imran! What did you have against us to make you plot
to kill us? You have brought us to the edge of the sea so
that Pharaoh can kill us here like rats, when there is no
way of escape.
'We know of no wrong that we have done to you, so
why are you taking revenge like this? Wasn't the hardship and
affliction we have already endured enough for you without
you bringing us here? We have the sea in front of us and
the enemy behind, us. There isno outcome for us but death.'
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Then the Israelites were seized by despair and their
voices were stilled. Everyone was afraid. Even firm moun
tains would have had the right to tremble .
But Musa's faith in his Lord was not shaken. The
people heard a voice filled with the majesty of prophethood:
'No, but my Lord is with me. He willguide me. ' (26: 62)
Then Allah commanded Musa to strike the sea with
his staff. He struck it and the sea divided . The waters rose
up like mountains one on either side. There were twelve
paths, one for each tribe. The people crossed unharmed
and reached the land of safety and peace .
Pharaoh's drowning
Pharaoh saw how the Israelites had crossed the sea
in safety. He said to his armies, ' Loo k how the sea divides
freely at my command so that I can catch these fugitives.'
Pharaoh advanced with his armies and the Israelites
were in fear once again . 'Here is the enemy, the tyrant,
intending to cross over to us! Nothing will keep him from
us! He will catch us and take us back to Egypt in captivity
or slaughter us as exiles in the desert!'
Musa thought to strike the land with his staff so that
it would once more become sea as it had been before.
But Allah revealed to him: 'Leave the sea alone. They are
a drowned army. ' (44 : 24)
When Pharaoh and his armies reached the middle
of the path through the sea, the sea flooded back over
them. Only now, with the waves crashing around him,
did Pharaoh face up to the truth. Until, when drowning
overtook him, he said, 'I believe that there is no god except
the One in whom the Israelites believe, and I am one of
the believers.' (10: 90)
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How deep he was in error! Allah will not turn
towards those who do wrong actions until, when one of
them is near deeth, he seys, 'I repent now. (4: 18) The
I
for those who are able to see, a lesson for those who are
capable of learning a lesson.
Pharaoh's army drowned to the last man. They had
left Egypt behind them and did not find a cubit for burial
in all its vast land.
How many gardens and fountains they left behind,
sown fields, and how noble a stetion, and what blessings
they delighted in! Just like that, and We bequeathed them
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to another people. Neither the heaven nor the earth wept
for them and they were not given a reprieve. (44: 25-9)
In the desert
The Israelites reached the land of security and peace
and breathed its air as noble and free men. There were
neither Pharaoh nor Haman nor their guards to fear. They
walked in safety, fearing none but AII,ah.
But they were city people and the sun in the desert
was too hot for them. They did not have tents which could
shelter them from the sun. Yet they were the guests of
Allah, and His generosity is greater than any other's
generosity. Allah commanded the clouds to give them
shade. The clouds went with them wherever they went
and stopped whenever they stopped.
The Israelites were thirsty and there was no water
in the desert, no river or well. They went to Musa and
complained to him as a child complains to its mother and
asks for her help. They complained of their thirst.
Musa called on his Lord. To whom else could he
turn? Allah said: 'Strike the rock with your staff. Twelve
I
springs gushed forth from it. All the people knew their
drinking-place. (2: 60)
The Israelites were hungry and complained to Musa
as a child complains to its mother and asks for her help.
They said: 'You brought us out of Egypt, the land of fruits
and produce, the land of blessings and good things. Who
will give us food in this desert?'
Musa called on his Lord. Who else did he have
besides Him? Allah sent down food on them. He sent
down sweet things for them onto the leaves of the trees
and He sent birds to them which could easily be taken
106
from the trees. These things were manna -and selwe, Allah's
hospitality to the Israelites in the desert.
107
and do the opposite. It is as if they think it is clever to
change whatever they are told. So when they are told,
'Stand up,' they sit down; when they are told, 'Sit down,'
they stand up. When they are told, 'Be quiet,' they speak;
when they are told, 'Speak,' they are silent.
They had wanted to be settled in a village and eat
tasty food made of vegetables and green herbs. But when
they were told: 'Enter this township and eat freely from it
wherever you like and enter the gate in prostration and
say, "Repentance. We will forgive you your errors and
/I
The cow
Musa called on his Lord who revealed to him that
he should command them to make a sacrifice of a cow.
For the Israelites, this was as if some misfortune had befallen
them, so they began to question and mock.
When Musa said to his people: 'Allah commands you
to sacrifice a cow, ' they said, 'Are you mocking us?' He said,
'I seek refuge in Allah lest I be one of the ignorant. ' (2: 67)
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Now they asked Musa many questions. They said:
'Ask your Lord forus to make clearto us what she may be. I
(2: 68)
But they did not stop with that question. They began
to ask about the cow's colour. They said: 'Ask your Lord
for us to make clear to us what her colour is. I
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They searched and searched and realized the evil
of their bickering. 'What should she be like? What should
her colour be? Where is she?' They grew weary.
Allah desired good for an orphan child and so they
found this cow which Allah had described, and they had
to pay him a very high price for it. 'They sacrificed it, but
they almost did not do it. I (2: 71)
Allah then commanded that the murdered man be
struck with a piece of the cow. Then he came back to life
and told them the name of his killer. That is indeed how
. it was.
The Sheri'«
The Israelites left a life of beasts of burden for a life
of men. They went to live in the desert as free and noble
men. They needed a divine law to provide judgement
between them and to illuminate a path for them. Mankind
cannot live as human beings unless they have a divine law
and a light from their Lord.
The entire world is darkness upon darkness except
when someone has a shining light from his Lord; and that
light is the light of the Prophets which gives people the
guidance they need. Whoever is not guided by this light
is astray and acts haphazardly. Without this light, beliefs
are only fancies and superstitions for children to laugh at.
They only follow supposition and supposition does not
help at all against the truth. (53: 28) Have you not heard
about the beliefs of polytheists, and other non-Muslims?
Their knowledge is in fact ignorance, conjecture, supersti
tion and hearsay. They tollow but a guess and lo! a guess
can never take the place of the Truth. (53: 28)
Their 'Morality' consists of nothing but excess and
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negligence, laxity and prodigality. Do you not see how
those who do not follow the Prophets violate people's
rights, exceed the proper limits and follow their whims?
Their government and politics are nothing but injustice,
despotism and attacks on people' s property, rights and
lives.
Do you not see how the people in power who have
no fear of Allah and do not follow the Shari'a break their
trusts, abuse the property of Allah, and violate people's
rights and lives? Do you not see how they enslave people
and split them up into sects by slaughtering their men and
letting their women live?
All the world is darkness within darkness within
darkness except for the one who has a shining light from
his Lord: Shadows of darkness piled one upon another.
When he puts forth his hand/ he almost cannot see it.
Whoever does not have a light assigned to him by Allah
has no light. (24: 40)
The Prophet teaches people how to worship Allah.
He also teaches them how to behave with each other. The
Prophet teaches people what is correct in life and what is
correct in religion. He teaches them how to eat, how to
drink, how to sleep, how to sit, how to behave in every
situation.
The Prophet teaches people how to live as a kind
father teaches his beloved children. People need the
teaching of the Prophets as much, or even more than they
needed the teaching of their parents when they were
children.
Those who do not receive this prophetic teaching
and do not learn manners from the Prophets are like wild
trees. They grow up untended, so in them you see
crookedness, thorniness and rottenness.
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The Torah
Allah did not want the Israelites to perish as other
nations, who had neither book nor guidance from Allah,
had perished. He did not want them to act haphazardly
as other nations had acted.
Allah commanded Musa to purify himself and to
fast for thirty days. Then he was to go to Mount Sinai so
that his Lord could speak to him and give him a book
which would guide the Israelites. Musa picked out seventy
men from his people to be witnesses to that because the
Israelites were a contentious people.
Because the community must have a leader, he
said to his brother Harun: 'Be my successor among my
people. Put things right. Do not follow the way of those
who work corruption' (7: 142)
Musa went to keep the appointment with his Lord,
but his yearning drew him towards his Lord and he rushed
ahead and arrived first at the Mount. Allah said, 'What has
sped you ahead of your people, Muse?
He said, 'They are on my tracks. I have hastened
to You, my Lord, only to please You. (20: 83-4)
I
112
a mountain. you would have seen it humbled, split asunder
out of fear of Allah. (59: 21)
I
113
The calf
The Israelites had lived with the idol-worshippers
in Egypt for many generations. The Copts used to worship
many things in Egypt. The Israelites had seen that with their
own eyes. Dislike of idol-worship had slipped away from
them and love of it had seeped into them, as water seeps
into an old, unused house. Whenever they had the chance,
they began to worship idols. Their hearts swerved and their
tastes became corrupted. Whenever they saw the path of
right guidance, they did not take it. Whenever they saw
the path of error, they took it.
They crossed the sea and came upon a people
holding to idols they had. They said: 'Musa, make a god
for us as they have gods. /
Musa became angry and said, 'You are an ignorant
people! (7: 138-9)
'What unbelievable wickedness! Allah has blessed
you and preferred you and given you what He has not
given anyone else in the entire world! Should I seek a god
for you other than Allah who has preferred you over all
beings? (7: 140)
When Musa went to the Mount and was absent
from them for some days, they became playthings for Satan
and fell prey to associating things with Allah. One of their
men called 'the Samiri' got up and produced a calf for
them/ a mere body that lowed. They said: 'This is your
god and the god ofMusa whom he has forgotten. / (20: 88)
The Israelites were seduced by this calf and bowed
to it, their hearts were so deaf and blind to truth. What?
. Did they not see that that thing did not return any word
to them nor possess power to harm or benefit them? (20:
89) Did they not see that it did not speak to them nor guide
them upon a path? (7: 148)
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Harun forbade them to do this and tried hard to
dissuade them, saying: 10 my peoplel you have been
tempted by the thing. Your Lord is the All-Merciful. Follow
me and obey what I command. I (20: 90)
But the Israelites were seduced by the magic of the
Samiri and love of the calf was made to sink into their
hearts. They said: IWe will not cease to be its votaries until
Musa returns to us. I (20: 91)
The punishment
When Allah told Musa that the Samiri had misled
the Israelites, he went back to his people in sorrow and
anger. He was angry with his people and angry for Allah's
sake with his brother Harun. He said: 'Herun, what kept
you beck, when you saw them going estrev, that you did
not follow me? Did you disobey my commend?
Harun apologized and said: II was afraid that you
would saYI IIYou have divided the Children of Israel and
have not observed my word. II (20: 92-4) The people have
abased me and nearly killed me. I (7: 150)
He said: 10 my Lord, forgive me and my brother
and admit us to Your mercy. You are the Most Merciful
of the Merciful. I (7: 151 )
Then Musa turned to the Samiri and said: IWhat
was your business, OSamiri?1
The Samiri admitted his crime and said: Thet is
how my self prompted me. I (20: 96)
He said: IGO! In this life it is for you to saYI "T.o uch
me not!'" (20: 97)
Musa punished him by isolating him. He had to
walk alone and live alone like a wild creature without any
friends. What punishment could be worse? The one who
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pollutes thousands of people with idol-worship should be
considered unclean and shunned. The one who comes
between Allah and His slaves should be separated from
mankind. The one who calls people to idol-worship in the
land of Allah is a great sinner, the entire earth should be
his prison.
Then Musa commanded that the cursed calf should
be burned. When that was done, he threw it into the sea.
The Israelites saw the fate of the calf they had worshipped
and saw that it was weak and powerless.
Mu sa turned to the Israelites and said: 'My people!
You have wronged yourselves by taking the Calf So turn
to the Creator and kill yourselves. That would be better
for you in your Creator's sight. 1(2: 54)
That is what they did. Those who had not worship
ped the calf killed those who had worshipped it. So Allah
turned to them.
Allah the Exalted said: Those who took the Calf
will be overtaken by wrath from their Lord and abasement
in the life of this world. That is how We repay forgers. (7:
I
152)
That is how calf-worshippers will be treated until
the Day of Judgement! That is how all idol-worshippers
and those who associate others with Allah will be treated
until the Day of Judgement!
116
themselves, to struggling and fighting; they had never even
talked about such matters.
Guided by revelation from Allah, Musa wanted
them to enter the Holy Land. There they could live free
and secure. But Musa recognized the cowardice and
weakness in the character of the Israelites. He wanted to
inspire them and to make things easy for them, for the
Holy Land was controlled by a strong, arrogant people.
The Israelites refused to enter the Holy Land until
those arrogant people had been driven from it. Musa
mentioned Allah's blessing to them, how Allah had prefer
red them over all people, so that they would be eager to
strive in the way of Allah and would despise the humiliating
and undignified life they were leading.
When Musa said to his people, '0 my people,
remember AllahIS blessing to you. how He placed among
you Prophets and made you kings and gave you what He
did not give any of the people. (5: 20)
I
117
When you enter it, you will be the victors. Put your trust
in Allah if you are believers. (5: 23)
I
118
He asked: '0 Lord, how can I find him?'
He was told: 'Carry a fish in a basket. When you
lose it, he will be there.'
He set off with his servant, Yusha' ibn Nun. They
carried a fish in a basket. They reached a rock, where they
lay down and slept. The fish slipped out of the basket and
made its way to the sea by burrowing. Musa and his servant
witnessed this extraordinary happening. '
They went on for the rest of the day and the
following night. The next morning, Musa said to his servant:
'Bring us our breakfast. We have encountered weariness
in this journey of ours.' Musa had not felt weary until he
passed the place he had been commanded to reach.
His servant said: 'What do you think? When we
took refuge in the rock, I forgot the fish.'
Musa said: 'That is what we were seeking.' So they
turned back and retraced their steps.
When they reached the rock, they found a man
wrapped in a cloak. Musa greeted him. The man, whose
name was AI-Khadir, said, surprised: 'Is there such a
greeting in your land?'
He said: 'I am Musa.'
He asked: 'Musa of the Israelites?'
Musa replied: 'Yes.' Then he asked: Shall I follow
you so that you can teach me right guidance from what
you have been taught?'
He seid, 'You will not be able to bear with me
patiently. (18: 66-7) Musa, I have some knowledge which
Allah has taught me which He has not taught you. You
have knowledge which Allah has taught you which I do
not know.'
Musa said: 'If Allah wills, you will find me patient
and I will not disobey you in anything. (18: 69)
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119
They walked together beside the sea. They did not
have a boat. Then a boat passed by and the people in it
offered to carry them. Then the people recognized AI
Khadir and they carried them without charge.
A sparrow landed on the edge of the boat and
pecked once or twice at the sea. AI-Khadir said: 'Musa,
all that is lacking from my knowledge and your knowledge
from Allah is like the pecking of this sparrow in the sea.'
AI-Khadir then stove in one of the panels of the
boat. Musa said. 'These people have carried us for free
and then you go and deliberately make a hole in their boat
so that its people will drown!'
AI-Khadir said : 'Did I not say that you would not
be able to bear with me patiently. I
Musa said: 10 0 not take me to task for forgetting
and be not hard on me for my fault.' (18: 73)
The first excuse given by Mu sa was that he had
forgotten.
They went on until they came upon a boy playing
with some other boys. AI-Khadir took hold of the top of
the boy's head and jerked his head back with his hand.
Musa said: IWhat, have you killed an innocent soul who
has slain no man l '
He said: 'Did I not say to you that you would not
be able to bear with me petientlvi' (18: 74-5)
They went on again until they came to a city . They
asked the people there for food , but they refused to give
them any. They found a wall in the city which was about
to fall down. AI-Khadir set it upright with his own hand.
Musa said: 'If you had wished, you could have
taken a wage for it. '
He said: This is the parting between you and me. '
(18: 77-8)
120
The Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, said: 'May Allah have mercy on Musa.
We wish that he had been more patient so that we could
have heard more aboutthetwo of them.' (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Interpretation
Then al-Khadir informed Musa: 'As for the boat, it
belonged to some poor people who worked upon the sea.
I wanted to damage it since there was a king behind them
who was seizing every [sound] boat by force. (18: 79)
j4s for the boy, his parents were believers and we
feared that he would grieve them with insolence and
disbelief on them. We wanted for their Lord to give them
a better one in purity and closer in affection. (18: 80-1)
j4s for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in
the city. There was a treasure under it which belonged to
them. Their father was a righteous man so your Lord
wanted for them to come ofage and then bring forth their
treasure as a mercy from your Lord. (18: 81)
'I did not do it of my own bidding. That is the
interpretation ofwhat you couldnotbear patiently.' (18: 82)
Then Musa realized that no-one could encompass
all of Allah's knowledge and that some people have some
of I-lis knowledge while other people have another part 'of
it. Over everyone endowed with knowledge there is one
more knowing. (12: 76)
121
Allah afflicted them with abasement and poverty
a.nd they deserved His anger. They had angered Allah, the
One who had appointed Prophets from among them and
made them kings and had given them what He had not
given any other people in their time.
Allah, the One Who had rescued them from the
people of Pharaoh who were subjecting them to an evil
punishment, slaughtering their sons and letting their
daughters live.
Allah, the One Who had divided the sea for them
and had rescued them and drowned the people of Pharaoh
before their eyes.
Allah, the One Who had made the clouds shade
them and had sent down manna and salwa for them.
Allah, the One Who had made the earth gush forth
springsfor them and had given them ample food and drink.
They repaid all that by rejecting the signs of Allah,
rebelling and transgressing.
They angered their Prophet Musa, the kindest of
Allah's creatures to them, the one who was kinder to them
than their own fathers and mothers. He was as tender to
them as a wet-nurse is to the baby she feeds, as a tender
mother is towards her child.
The one they cursed, prayed for them. Whenever
they laughed at him, he wept. Whenever they were harsh
to him, he had pity on them.
He was the one who had rescued them from the
tyrant Pharaoh and brought them out of Egypt to a land
of freedom and honour, from a life of wretched slavery to
a life of noble freedom.
They angered him, injured him, doggedly opposed
him, mocked him, and considered him to be the humblest
man among them while he was the most noble in the eyes
of Allah.
122
Did they not deserve their punishment, wretched
ness and constant wandering, and that they will never
prosper? Yes, they indeed deserve all this and even worse
because of their evil deeds: 'Allah did not wrong them.
But they wronged themselves. (16: 33)
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124
Shu'ayb'scali
Shu'ayb spoke to them at length and loosened the
knot in their souls, the knot of love of poverty and worldly ,
increase.
He said: 'The profit you receive after giving full
measure and weight is better for you than taking people's
property unjustly and through trickery. When you examine
your life and the life of those who were wealthy and
amassed riches, you will find that the actual result of
everything they obtained through shortening, lessening and
trickery was destruction, ruin, corruption and affliction. It
was either stolen from them, or looted, or spent in ways
which do not please Allah, or else someone gained control
of it who wasted and squandered it. A small amount that
brings true contentment is better than an abundance that
does not.'
Say: 'The corrupt and the wholesome are not equal,
even ifthe great amount ofthe corrupt pleases you. ' (5: 100)
'My advice to you is pure and sincere. Allah alone
is the One who watches over you.'
He spoke with compassion and wisdom, and from
knowledge and insight: 'What remains with you from Allah
is better for you if you are believers. I am not a guardian
over you. (11 : 86)
I
126
himself indulged in. He was not one of those who
command others to piety while they forget themselves, nor
one of those who speak but do not act. He sought only
to put them right, to direct them to contentment, and rescue
them from the punishment which was hovering above their
heads. All bounty returns to Allah and depends on Him.
He said: '0 my people, what do you think? If I
stand upon a clear sign from my Lord, and He has given
me an excellent provision from Him, and I do not desire
to come behind you, taking myself to what I forbid you.
I only desire to set things right as far as I can. My success
is only with Allah. I have put my trust in Him and I turn
to Him in repentance. (11 : 88)
I
127
it had not been for your tribe/ we would have stoned you.
You are not strong against us. /
He said: '0 my people/ is my tribe stronger against
you than Allah?And have you taken Him as something to
thrust behind you? My Lord encompasses what you do. /
(11: 92)
A definitive proof
Shu'ayb's answer showed his pride in his faith and
his way of life, his earnest concern for his belief. When
they urged him to return to their religion, he said:
'Even though we detest it? We would have forged
lies againstAllah if we were to return to your religion after
Allah has saved us from it. It is not for us, to return to it
unless Allah our Lord wills. Our Lord encompasses all
things in His knowledge. In Allah we put all our trust. Our
Lord/ decide with truth between us and our people. You
are the best of those who make decisions. /
128
bewitched. You are only a mortal like us. Indeed, we think
that you are one of the liars. Cause lumps to fall on us
from heaven if you are one of the truthful. (26: 187)
1
129
130
preferred us over many of His believing slaves. 1Sulayman
was De'ud's heir and said: 'People, we have been taught
the speech of birds and we have been given abundance
of every thing. This is the clear bounty. 1(27: 16)
131
preferred us over many of His believing slaves. ' Sulayman
was De'ud's heir and said: 'People, we have been taught
the speech of birds and we have been given abundance
of every thing. This is the clear bounty.' (27: 16)
131
preferred us over many of His believing slaves. Sulayman
1
was Da'ud's heir and said: 'Peop le, we have been taught
the speech of birds and we have been given abundance
of every thing. This is the clear bounty. (27: 16)
1
131
132
entered the vineyard and ruined it. Da'ud gave a judgement
that the sheep should be given to the owner of the vines
in compensation . Sulayman said: 'That is not the more
correct judgement, 0 Prophet of Allah .' Da'ud asked:
'What should it be then?' Sulayman said: 'Give the vines
to the owner of the sheep and let him restore them to their
previous condition. Give the sheep to the owner of the
vines and he can profit from them until the vines are
restored to their proper condition. Then the vines will be
returned to their owner and the sheep will be returned to
their owner. '
Allah gave him fine understanding and deep know
ledge. Allah said: 'And De'ud and Sulayman when they
gave judgement concerning the fields, when the sheep of
the people strayed there, and We were witnesses to their
judgement. We made Sulayman understand it. We gave
both of them judgement and knowledge. ' (21 : 78-9)
133
aware of it, ordered his fellow-ants to go into their
dwelling-places. Sulayman heard and understood this.
Being a Prophet of Allah, his response was not ruled by
pride or arrogance. Rather, Sulayman was moved to praise
Allah and to be grateful for His blessing. Supplication and
success are part of right action and treading in the path of
the righteous slaves of Allah .
134
letter in which he called on her to enter Islam and submit
to him. The letter, which was polite but firm , expressed
prophetic humility as well as kingly honour.
A bargained gift
She sent a delegation with gifts of great value as
befits a king. When the gifts reached Sulayman, he refused
to accept them, saying: 'Are you trying to use wealth to
135
bargain with me so that I should leave you to hold your
kingdom and your people in idol-worship? The kingdom,
property and armies that Allah has given me are better than
those you have. This is no light matter, but a serious and
solemn call to true religion. It is a case of being summoned
and of submitting, and not to be haggled over.' He sent
the delegation back, declaring that he would march against
their kingdom.
136
matter would have thought that they were really stepping
into water. The Queen would surely assume that it was
water and raise the hem of her dress above the water, and
her mistake would be clear. She would then realize that
she was short-sighted and had been deceived by outward
appearances. She and her people were bowing to the sun
because it was the clearest' source of light and life, which
are but two of Allah's attributes. Then the veil would fall
from her eyes and she would realize that just as she had
made a mistake in assuming the glass to be water when
she raised the hem of her dress, so too she had been
mistaken when she treated the sun as the Creator by
prostrating to it and worshipping it.
137
He searched among the birds. Then he said: 'How
is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Or is he one of the
absent? I will punish him with a harsh punishment or I will
slaughter him or he will bring me a good reason. But he
I
did not delay long. He said: 'I have learned what you do
not know. I have brought you sure news from Sheba. I
found a woman ruling over them and she has been given
some of everything and she has an immense throne. I
found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of
Allah. Satan has made their actions seem fair to them and
has barred them from the way. They are not guided, so
they do not prostrate to Allah who brings forth what is
hidden in the heavens and the earth. He knows what you
conceal and what you make known. There is no god but
Him, the Lord of the Immense Throne. I
138
has given me is better than what He has given you? NO I
it, she supposed that it was open water and bared her legs.
He said: lit is a pavilion covered with crystal. She said: II
I
139
Sulayman believed, but the Satans did not believe
Yet the Jews attributed to Sulayman, sorcery, disbe
lief, and compromise with idol-worship. They even said
that his wives had been able to weaken his belief in the
unity of Allah. But Allah has declared that he was innocent
of all these things.
Allah said: 'Sulayman did not unbelieve. The satans
unbelieved and taught people magic. (38: 30) And: 'We
I
140
Ayyub' s patience
141
Affliction and gift
When the affliction Allah had willed for Ayyub's
soul was over he was allowed to be at peace. Allah inspired
him with a supplication that was answered. That prayer
revealed and expressed his powerlessness and misery. It
revealed that there is indeed no refuge from Allah except
in Him, and that He has the power to do anything. Allah
healed Ayyub's body and restored his family and property
to him, and blessed him. Allah says:
When Ayyub called unto his Lord: 'Affliction has
visited me and You are the Most Merciful of the Mercitul',
We answered him and removed the affliction that was on
him, and We gave him family and the like of them with
them as a mercy from Us and a reminder to the slaves. I
(21: 83)
142
days. Knowing that Prophets do not lie, the people of
Nineveh took heed and went out into the desert with their
children, cattle and flocks. There they humbly entreated
Allah and prayed fervently to Him. The camels and their
young grumbled; the cows and calves lowed; the sheep
and lambs bleated. So Allah removed the punishment from
them.
Why was there never a city that believed! and its
belief profited it? Except for the people of Yunus. When
they believed! We removed the punishment of disgrace
from them in the life of this world and We gave them
enjoyment for a time. (10: 98)
143
darknesses, one within the other! What intense darkness!
How far away safety was! He remained there for as long
as Allah willed. Then Allah inspired him to disperse the
darkness, remove his distress and to call down mercy from
above the seven heavens. The Qur'an recounts this unique
and strange story which contains solace for all who are in
misery and despair. They can see that there is no shelter
from Allah except in Allah:
When Dhu'n-Nun left in anger and thought that
We would have no power over him. Then he called out
in the darknesses: 'There is no god but You! Glory be to
You! I am one ofthe wrong-doers. We answered him and
I
144
145
existence is under His command: He brings forth the living
from the dead, and brings forth the dead from the living,
and provides for whomever He likes without reckoning.
she had given birth to. The male is not like the female. /1
have named her Maryam and 1 have entrusted her to You
to protect her and her children from the accursed Satan. '
(3: 35-6)
147
Good news of a son
Allah answered his prayer and sent him the good
news of a righteous son soon to be born .
Man was created hasty. Zakariyya asked for a sign
of this great event and how near it was. He said: 'My Lord,
give me a sign. '
He said: 'Your sign is that you will not speak to
people for three days except by gestures. Remember your
Lord often and glorify Him in evenings and mornings. ' (3:
41)
Allah can make the articulate tongue dumb, unable
to utter a single word. He can endow whatever creatures
He wills with whatever properties He wills .
149
Maryam
150
He created him from earth and then said to him, 'Be!1 and
he was. (3: 59)
151
Scorn and disobedience
Over the ages, the Jews' scorn for the Prophets had
increased. So too, in their community, had murder,
dealings with usury, joking about religious teachings, and
lack of compassion. The hearts of many of them were
stripped of sincere love of Allah. They forgot about charity,
equality, piety and generosity. They had once believed in
Prophethood and the Message, and there had been many
Prophets among them and their books were filled with
reports about them. But, in the end, they only believed in
what suited their purpose. They opposed those who
criticized them, called them to account and called them
to true religion, and even made war on them.
Ingratitude
Because they mixed with. idol-worshipping people,
gradually the Jews failed to honour the teachings of the
Prophets. They began to adopt spurious beliefs and ignor
ant customs. They had worshipped the Calf after their
escape from Egypt, and they developed a great veneration
for 'Uzayr, even claiming that he was more than human.
Their insolence led them to ascribe idol-worship, magic
and unbelief and ugly deeds to certain Prophets. They did
not fear Allah any more.
152
Pride and conceit
In spite of all these faults, the Jews took great pride
in their lineage and gave great weight to their hopes and
dreams. They said: 'We are the sons and beloved ofAllah. I
(5: 18) And they said: 'The Fire will only touch us for a
certain number of days. I (2: 80)
153
All of this restored trust and belief in the miracles
of the Messengers and the reports of divine power con
tained in the Torah. But those who rejected the reality of
Divine Power and the force of the Will of the Lord rose
up. They declared that there could be nothing new and
nothing beyond the worldly knowledge they already pos
sessed.
154
them. He raised him to Himself and honoured him. Read
the story in the Qur'an:
When the angels said: 'Mervernl Allah gives you
the good news ofa word from Him. His name is Messiah l
155
When Allah said: "lse.Twill take you and raise you
up to Me and purify you from those who have rejected. /
will place those who follow you above those who have
rejected until the Day of Judgement. Then you (all) will
return to Me and / willjudge between you regarding that
about which you used to differ. Those who reject / will
punish them with a terrible punishment in this world and
the Next World. They will have no helpers. I
An eternal conflict
What had happened to other Prophets before him
happened to 'Isa. The rulers and leaders kept away from
him. ,The rich and powerful ignored him. They thought it
156
!a sin to believe in him and his followers. They would not
!give up the leadership, position, privilege and distinction
Ithey enjoyed. The words of Allah are true:
We sent no warner into any city except that its
wealthy said: 'We disbelieve in the Message you have been
sent with. They also said: 'We are more abundant in
I
157
Travel and call
'Isa spent most of his time travelling from place to
place teaching about the One God. He called the Israelites
to Allah and guided those among them who were astray
to their Lord and Master. In his travels he met with both
ease and hardship. He endured all this with patience and
accepted it in gratitude . He endured hunger and was
content with just enough food to keep body and soul
together.
Improper manners
But the disciples did not behave correctly when
making their request. They said: 'Is it possible for your Lord
to send down on us a Table from out of heaven?' (5: 112)
'Isa did not like their request or the manner in which they
presented it to him. The Prophets ask their communities
to believe in the Unseen, and make it obligatory for them
to do so. Miracles are not games to amuse children and
divert the gullible. They are signs from Allah which He
manifests at the hands of His Prophets whenever He likes.
Through them the proof of Allah is established against His
slaves. They are not given any reprieve after these miracles
appear and are rejected.
158
Warning his people about a bad punishment
'Isa was afraid for the disciples because of their
request for a table from heaven. He warned them about
incurring an evil punishment. He forbade them to put Alla.h
to the test. He is too High and Majestic for that.
They said: IWe want to eat from it and for our hearts to
be at rest, and that we may know that you have spoken
the truth to uS and that we may be among the witnesses
I
sign from You. Provide for us. You are the best ofproviders. '
Allah said: II will send it down on you. Whoever
of you disbelieves afterwards, I will punish him with such
a punishment that I will not punish any other being. ' (5:
112-15)
159
The Jews try to get rid of the Prophet 'Isa
The patience of the Jews ran out as their enmity
and obstinacy increased. They wanted to be rid of 'Isa.
They took his case to the Roman governor, saying: 'He is
an anarchist, a revolutionary who has renounced our
religion. He seduces our young men so they are led astray
by him. He divides us, calls our dreams foolish and worries
us.'
A problem
It was difficult for the Roman, idol-worshipping
governors to decide on the truth of the matter and to
recognize the motives of the Jews, and the reason for their
enmity towards the Messiah. They were distracted from
this question by administrative matters. But the Jews were
very insistent and kept coming back to them. The Roman
160
governors wanted to be finished with this case which had
become the talk of the town.
161
the injuries he had to endure. The cross he carried was
heavy. He could only go slowly.
Divine management
Then the soldier in charge of the procession com
manded a young Israelite, who was the most zealous, the
most foolish, the one most eager to injure and attack the
Messiah, to carry the cross. The soldier wanted the whole
business speedily resolved, to be free of the burdensome
responsibility.
162
lisa was raised to heaven
As for the Prophet 'Isa, the son of Maryam, Allah
the Exalted saved him from the plots of the Jews and raised
him up to Himself, honoured him and purified him of those
who had rejected.
163
'There is not one of the People of the Book who
will not believe in him before his death and on the Day of
Rising he will be a witness against them. / (4: 159)
164
was not begotten, a family composed of three persons, all
of them divine. They said: 'The father, the son and the
Holy Ghost.'
They believe in Maryam, the mother of the Messiah,
and elevate her to the level of sanctification and worship.
They say: 'The Mother of God,' and statues and images
of her are common in churches. The Christians bow to
these images, seek refuge in them, and make supplication,
vows and acts of devotion to them. Allah the Exalted has
rejected such belief and worship:
The Messiah son ofMaryam was only a Messenger.
Messengers have passed away before him. His mother was
a truthful woman. They both ate food. See how We make
the signs clear to them. Then see how they have turned
aside from the truth. Say: 100 you worship, apart from
Allahl what can neither hurt nor benefit you? Allah is the
Hearing, the Knowing. I (5: 75-6)
165
and Prophets as Lords. Would he command you to
unbelieve after you have surrendered? (3: 79-80)
166
Prophet 'Isa will declare himself innocent of what the
people said about him and of how they treated him. He
will clarify his call with strength and truth, and pronounce
the guilt of those of his community who went beyond the
limits. They alone are responsible for this sin. Read the
Qur' an and perceive how grand and majestic the situation
would be, how splendid the scene: When Allah said: "lse
the son ofMaryam! Did you say to people, "Teke me and
my mother as gods apart from Allah"?' He said: "Glory
be to Allah! It is not for me to say what I have no right to
say. If I said itlYou know it. You know what is in my soul
and I do not know what is in Your soul. You know the
unseen things. I only told them what You commanded
mel 'Serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord. I I was a witness
over them as long as I was among them. When You took
me to You, You were the Watcher over them, and You
are a witness of everything. If You punish them, they are
Your slaves. If You forgive them, You are the MightYI the
Wise. III
Allah said: This is the day when the truthful will
profit by their truthfulness. They will have Gardens with
rivers flowing under them, forever in them. Allah is pleased
with them and they are pleased with Him. That is the great
victory. I
To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and
the earth and what is in them. He has power over
everything. (5: 116-20)
167
sheep, who were the erring men and women of the
Israelites. In Europe at that time idol-worship was wide
spread. The Greeks were idol-worshippers. They made
images of Allah in various forms, carved statues of those
images, and built for them temples and shrines. There was
a god for livelihood, a god for mercy and a god for power,
and so on.
The Romans were deep-rooted in idol-worship and
.clung to superstition. Idolatry flowed through them like
blood. When Christianity reached them and Constantine
the Great became a Christian, embracing and adopting the
new faith in 306 C.E., he made it the official state religion.
Then Christianity began gradually to adopt many of the
idolatrous beliefs found in Roman customs an-d Greek
philosophy and to lose its prophetic purity, Eastern simplic
ity and unitarian zeal. Hypocrites entered it and grafted on
to it their ancient beliefs and idolatrous ways. A new
religion grew up in which Christianity and idol-worship
mingled together.
So the early advance of Christianity was on a path
other than the path followed by the Messiah and the one
to which he called. It was like a traveller following a path
deviating from the right one, intentionally or unintention
ally, in the darkness of the night. He continues his journey
on a path which is completely different from the original
path.
The precise story is only known by those who study
the history of this religion. Allah described the Christians
as misguided, whereas He described the Jews as deserving
of His wrath. He says on the tongue of the Muslims:
Guide us on the Straight Path, the path of those
You have blessed, not those against whom You are angry
nor those who are astray. (1: 7)
Allah's is the command first and last. (30: 4)
168
WORKBOOK
169
11. Using- Allah's words from the Holy Qur'an repeat
how Nuh warned the idol-worshippers of their future
punishment.
12. How did the rich people react to Nuh's warnings?
13. Name the signs of Allah that Nuh pointed out to the
idol-worsh ippers.
14. For how ma.ny years was Nuh with his people?
15. Why is Nuh described as a patient Prophet?
16. Why did Nuh eventually appeal to Allah to punish
his people?
17. How did Allah answer Nuh's plea?
18. Why did the people mock Nuh when he was building
the ark?
19. What did Allah reveal should be saved on the ark?
20. Why was Nuh's son not saved? What important
message is contained in the story of Nuh's son?
2. The Prophet H ud
1. From whom was the community of the 'Ad de
scended?
2. Describe the 'Ad's early, peaceful way of life.
3. Describe the changes in the 'Ad's behaviour once
they forgot that they owed their blessings to Alla.h.
4. What differences appeared between the behaviour
of the rich and of the poor as time went on?
5. Describe how Hud appealed to the people to Im
prove their behaviour.
170
6. How did the 'Ad react to Hud's message from Allah?
7. Pick out the arguments that were used by both sides
to justify their behaviour.
8. From the reasons given by I-Iud for worshipping
Allah, pick out the one which you think makes the
strongest case.
9. How did Allah punish the 'Ad?
10. Describe the scene of destruction witnessed by Hud
and the believers.
171
4. The Prophet Ibrahim
1. Why was Azar so well known?
2. Why did Ibrahim question why the people were
worshipping idols?
3. Why did Azar get angry from hearing Ibrahim's
questions?
4. Describe how Ibrahim proved to the people that idols
are worthless.
5. How did the people react to Ibrahim's destruction
of the idols?
6. How was Ibrahim saved from the fire?
7. Describe how Ibrahim convinced himself that Allah
is greater than the stars, the moon and the sun.
8. What happened when Ibrahim gave the people the
message from Allah?
9. Why was the king so angry when he discovered that
Ibrahim worshipped Allah?
10. How did Ibrahim demonstrate to the king the great
ness of Allah?
11 . Why did Ibrahim decide to travel to another country?
172
15. Find a picture of the AI-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
Describe how it was first built.
173
13. How did Yusuf persuade his brothers to leave Be
nyamin with him in Egypt?
14. When the brothers went to Egypt for the third time
they discovered Yusuf's true identity. How did they
make this discovery?
15 Describe the scene when Ya'qub learnt that Yusuf
was still alive and explain how Yusuf's original dream
had come true.
174
11 . What two signs did Allah give to Musa before
commanding him to return to Egypt?
12. Why was it best for Musa and Harun to be kind to
the Pharaoh at first?
13. What arguments did Musa use to convince the
Pharaoh that there is only one God?
14. What happened when the king summoned all the
best sorcerers to use their magic against Musa?
15. What convinced the sorcerers that Musa was a
Prophet?
16. How did the sorcerers react to the Pharaoh's threats
when they were accused of betraying him?
17. What advice did the wise believer give to the
Pharaoh?
18. Why was the Pharaoh's wife a brave woman?
19. By what means did Allah make the Pharaoh take
notice of Him?
20. Name the five signs Allah sent to the Pharaoh.
21 . Describe how Musa led the Israelites out of Egypt.
22. What happened to the Pharaoh and his armies when
he pursued the Israelites?
23. How were the Israelites helped when they were
hungry and thirsty in the desert?
24. Why did the Israelites behave like spo-ilt children after
they left Egypt?
25. Relate the story of how a murderer was caught with
Allah's help.
175
26. Give five reasons why the Shari'ah is necessary.
27. In what way did Allah provide the Israelites with
guidance on Mount Sinai?
28. How did the Samiri lead the weak Israelites astray?
29. Describe the meeting between Musa a.nd AI-Khadir
and explain why it enabled Musa to understand how
Allah has distributed knowledge.
The Prophet Musa rescued the Israelites from the
Pharaoh and led them to freedom. Describe the
behaviour of the Israelites after they were rescued
and how Allah punished them.
176
3. What was Sulayman's wise judgement in the case
where sheep had ruined a man's vineyard?
4. Find a picture of the bird called a hoopoe. How did
the hoopoe help Sulayman?
5. What did the Queen of Sheba and her people
worship?
6. Why did Sulayma.n write a letter to the Queen of
Sheba?
7. How did the Queen's counsellors respond to the
letter?
8. What did the Queen decide to send to Sulayman
and what were her reasons for sending them?
9. How did Sulayman react to the Queen's test?
10. Why did Sulayman decide, to send for the Queen's
throne?
11 . Describe how the Queen was to be tested about her
own throne.
12. Why did Sulayman want to test the Queen's powers
of perception?
13. How did Sulayman discover that the Queen of Sheba
was easily deceived?
14. What did the Queen say when she realized that she
lacked perception?
15. How does this story illustrate Sulayman's wisdom?
177
2. How did Ayyub's patience show up?
3. What does the Holy Qur'an say about Ayyub's
prayer to Allah and Allah's answer?
4. To which village did Allah send Yunus and why did
Allah send him there?
5. Describe Yunus' experiences from the time he em
barked on the ship until Allah answered his prayer.
178
6. Why did 'Isa devote his teaching to the poor and not
to the rich?
7. Why was it wrong for 'Isa's disciples to want him to
ask Allah to send down a table?
8. How did Allah reply to the disciples' request?
9. Why did the Jews want to be rid of 'Isa?
10. Why did the Roman governor want to be rid of 'Isa's
case?
11. Describe the scene when 'Isa was marched towards
the execution site.
12. What happened when the procession reached the
execution site?
13. From the Holy Qur'an repeat Allah's words about
'Isa's death (4: 156).
14. Read what the Holy Qur'an says about 'Isa (5: 75-6).
How does this contradict Christian belief?
15. How did 'Isa's message from Allah become distorted?
179